Re: 'Sick' building spurs air quality testing statewide

[Guest guest]

Thanks Darlene, great find. (sarcoidosis and sick building)

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> 'Sick' building spurs air quality testing statewide

> NEAL GOSWAMI, Staff Writer

> http://www.benningtonbanner.com/localnews/ci_6409921

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> Thursday, July 19

> BENNINGTON — Sickness possibly caused by environmental factors at

the Bennington state office complex has prompted the state to create

a plan to mitigate health issues in other state buildings. State

Department of Buildings and General Services Deputy Commissioner

J. Sandretto said the state is working to create a plan that

will focus on 50 of the most likely buildings to have environmental

issues similar to those in the Bennington building.

> Buildings with HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)

systems similar to the Bennington building are being prioritized,

said Sandretto.

> " What we have done is inventory all of our buildings that have

similar heat pumps. We have had our staff check all of them and

replace them. ... We're not complete, but we have inventoried them, "

said Sandretto.

> According to initial reports submitted to the state by the

Group, an environmental firm hired by the state to test the building

after at least six past and present employees were diagnosed with the

rare disease sarcoidosis, problems were found with dried out

condensate lines in the heating and cooling system.

> It has been suggested at Bennington, with the heat pumps, one of

the things they found was condensate lines, " said

Sandretto. " Currently we are looking at the condensate lines that

come from the heat pumps. I think they are probably finding units

that need replacing. " In addition, evaporation pans within the

system have been found to contain mold.

> " Sometimes the pan itself where you have things evaporating

sometimes grows mold. Mold was growing in some of the drip pans, "

said Sandretto.

> Sarcoidosis involves inflammation that produces tiny limps of

cells in various organs in the body, according to the Vermont

Department of Health. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, by

scientists believe it may be caused when the immune system responds

to something in the environment such as bacteria, dust or chemicals.

> A final report from the group is expected to be released on

Aug. 8, but interim reports have suggested the state remove carpeting

from the first floor, improve housekeeping and rebuilding the entire

south wall of the courtroom.

> Sandretto said BGS does not yet have an estimated cost for

replacing necessary units, but the majority of costs are likely to be

associated with labor.

> " It's considerable in terms of labor, " he said.

> The state is also developing a plan to deal with indoor air

quality in all of the nearly 300 state owned buildings, according to

Sandretto.

> " In a more general approach to indoor air quality problems we are

developing a system where we are going to inspect — eventually — all

of the buildings as quickly as possible, " said Sandretto.

> Under the plan now being developed, each state building will

have someone designated to monitor the air quality.

> " The plan will designate an indoor air quality manager for each

building under the control of BGS, " said Sandretto. " It does a walk-

through where someone inspects the building and you look for odors,

stains, water damage. "

> A new position within BGS to be filled this year will be tasked

with training and overseeing air quality managers and training

custodial staff in more advanced environmental cleaning.

> " What we did in last year's budget, we asked for and received

money for a new position ... called a facilities coordinator, " said

Sandretto.

> BGS officials will also be looking through past air quality

complaints to try and determine if there are recurring problems in

certain buildings.

> Sandretto said Tuesday that the state would be purchasing modular

office units constructed earlier this year after employees were

removed from the building. He reiterated Wednesday that the decision

was not related to how long state officials believe the main building

will be closed.

> " The decision to purchase the modular units was primarily fiscal.

It looked like a good thing to do, the proper thing to do. It was

really a business decision, " said Sandretto.

>

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