Indianapolis Public Schools Employees - Investigate Office IAQ

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February 11 05:39 PM EST

Illnesses Investigated At IPS Office

Air-quality tests were performed Monday at an Indianapolis Public Schools

office in an attempt to determine whether something in the building is

making employees ill.

IPS said nine employees of the district's transportation office have told

the district that they suspect their illnesses have something to do with

their workplace (pictured, left).

Some of them told RTV6 that they are sick when they work, but fine when on

vacation. Nausea, dizziness and upper-respiratory infections are among some

of the complaints.

" I have had many sinus infections, ear infections (and) upper respiratory

infections over the past few years, " said a female employee who spoke to

RTV6 on condition of anonymity.

The office is located in a former Coca-Cola warehouse, near the intersection

of Massachusetts and College avenues, that IPS took over in 1969.

IPS invited the n County Health Department to tour the building Monday.

The department supervised the air tests, which were performed by an

independent company.

Though test results won't be ready for four to six weeks, health department

air-quality expert Cauldwell said carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide

levels appeared to be normal Monday. Testers also looked for mold -- and

although old water damage can be seen in some areas of the office, no mold

appears to be growing now, Cauldwell said.

" It's a little dry in here -- and a little warm -- but nothing outside the

ordinary for normal winter conditions, " Cauldwell said.

IPS said it will renovate the office while it waits for the test results.

Improvements -- to be completed within six weeks -- will include new carpet,

new lighting and new ceiling panels.

For information about indoor air quality, visit the Environmental Protection

Agency (news - web sites)'s Web site.