Workers laid low with ‘assembly-line hysteria’
NZPA Huntington (West Virginia)
Last November, workers at a West Virginian shoe factory began fainting. Four passed out the first day. A short time later, they began dropping by the dozens. The workers at the Perry-Norvell plant said that they were overcome by toxic fumes from a new batch of glue. But Federal researchers recently said the workers were victims of assembly* line hysteria. A 14-page report compiled by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and- Health concluded that the fainting and dizziness were the result of hyperventilation — overly fast breathing stemming from fear. And, the report added,
the sickness was more severe among those workers most dissatisfied with their jobs.
Union officials at the plant termed the report a lot of bunk. They said that unsafe working conditions, not fear, caused the workers to be overcome. Plant officials declined comment
The workers began fainting on the afternoon of November 4, when four were overcome. Four more complained of dizziness and nausea the next day. A total of 48 employees were treated at local hospitals on four consecutive workdays. The plant was soon closed and Federal researchers investigated. They examined the batch of glue, took air samples, and interviewed the workers. Their report states that the outbreak
stemmed from mass psychogenic illness, also known as assembly-line hysteria, collective delusion, and hysterical contagion. “As best we’re able to determine that’s the only logical explanation," said Dr Mitchell Singal, the medical officer who coordinated the investigation. The circumstances precipitating the outbreak and the results of the environmental investigation provided no evidence that there was any toxic explanation for the illness. He also said that those workers under the most personal financial stress and the most job stress were hit the hardest
He added that the symptoms these people have are real. They actually do have headaches and nausea.
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Press, 22 August 1978, Page 8
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312Workers laid low with ‘assembly-line hysteria’ Press, 22 August 1978, Page 8
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