OSHA investigating indoor air quality downtown

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Updated September 04. 2008

OSHA investigating indoor air quality downtown

Gazette Online - Solon,IA*

By Hadish

The Gazette

cindy.hadish@...

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080904/NEWS/709049924/1006/news

CEDAR RAPIDS - Indoor air at a downtown building that reopened after

flooding is under investigation in response to an employee complaint.

, administrator of the Iowa Occupational Safety and

Health Administration enforcement program, confirmed today that OSHA

is investigating the complaint at the Iowa Building, 411 Third St.

SE, which houses the Department of Human Services.

Because the investigation is ongoing, said she could not

release any information at this time.

Spinler, president of the American Federation of State, County

and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3012, said a DHS employee who

works in the building has been to her doctor several times for a

respiratory illness.

Spinler did not know if the illness was mold-related.

OSHA representatives were in the building last week and were taking

samples from air vents this week, he said.

DHS spokesman Munns said no mold has been found in the

building.

Munns said DHS moved back into the building after air quality

results came back in late July.

" It wasn't precipitous, " he said. " We insisted on high standards

when we moved back. There was no headlong rush to move back before

it was cleared for safety. "

Munns said the investigation should determine if the employee's

health concerns stem from building issues.

" If there is a problem with the building, we will address it, " he

said. " We think it's safe. "

Partners with building owner, Ilandco Corp., declined to comment on

the investigation.

Air quality tests performed on behalf of Linn County, which leases

space for DHS, came back clean, said Penaloza, industrial

hygiene consultant for EFI Global Inc. of Kingwood, Texas.

Penaloza said EFI performed the tests in late July on floors above

the flood line, where employees would be returning to work.

" At the time of our sampling and testing, everything was fine, " he

said.

Penaloza noted, however, that the building was still without power

when the check was performed, so other issues may have developed

since that time.

Mold and other fungal and bacterial exposures have no specific

numerical limits under state and federal law.

OSHA can investigate complaints about mold or other air quality

issues, but has said without mold standards, the violation

would have to be egregious to warrant a citation and fine.

Symptoms associated with unhealthy air include headaches, eye

irritation, breathing problems and lethargy.

Langston, chairwoman of the Linn County Board of Supervisors,

said she was aware of the investigation.

" Having OSHA come in and investigate is appropriate, " to sort out

the issue, she said.