The Case of the Intoxicated Cells—an Epidemiologic Note

Abstract

An episode is described in which tissue culture in a laboratory could have become intoxicated due to the recirculation of toxic exhaust fumes extruded from the roof of a research institution. A route of entry was found whereby a portion of fume hood exhaust was reintroduced into the building by means of large intake fans located on the roof near the exhaust ducts used to cool the elevator cables and motors at the top of the elevator shafts. The descending action of the elevator created a suction which pulled the polluted air down the elevated shafts and into the corridors. Such mechanisms for cooling elevator shafts are widely used in the modern architecture of commercial, industrial and laboratory buildings, and they should therefore be considered in epidemiologic investigations of airborne infections or intoxications of undetermined origin.