An investigation of apparent mass psychogenic illness in an electronics plant

Abstract

An investigation of a case of apparent mass psychogenic illness was undertaken in a midwestern electronics assembly plant. The plant employed 500 workers, of whom 80% were female. The illness outbreak involved a total of 90 female first shift workers who reported a variety of nonspecific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and lightheadedness in response to a strange odor in the workplace. Although environmental testing revealed some localized concentrations of a few airbone contaminants, no environmental toxins were discovered that could account for the continuing outbreaks of illness. An ad hoc sample of affected and nonaffected workers was surveyed to assess the influence of psychological, sociological, and work environment factors in the outbreak. Analysis of the data revealed that affected workers reported more physical discomfort (temperature variations, poor lighting) in the workplace as well as psychological job stress (increase in workload, conflicts with supervisors) than did nonaffected workers. Moreover, affected workers scored significantly higher than nonaffected workers on personality tests measuring extraversion and hysteria traits.

Industrial mass psychogenic illness: The unfashionable diagnosis

“…The rst case resembles the one described by Smith, Colligan, and Hurrell (1978) and by Colligan et al (1979), which occurred in an electronics plant in USA. In this particular case, environmental and biological monitoring showed some localized concentrations of a few airborne contaminants, occasionally exceeding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, and a marginal increase of blood lead content in some workers.…”

Mass psychogenic illness in organizations: An overview

“…There is some evidence to indicate that the actual occurrence of contagious psychogenic illness in organizations is more frequent than the available literature would suggest (Colligan & Smith, 1978). In the past, the underreporting of this phenomenon may be attributed to the fact that outbreaks of such illness are typically investigated by teams of industrial hygienists and medical professionals whose primary concern is the possibility of toxic exposure.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-86-206-1744, Rotorex, Walkersville, Maryland.

“…[10,11] Such a condition exists at the Rotorex facility. It should be emphasized that the association of sex and educational level with collective anxiety phenomena does not necessarily imply that these are causative factors.…”