'Sick' building spurs air quality testing statewide

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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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