How do I prove my building is sick?

[Guest guest]

I work for a municipal government that is housed in an office

building with other, private-sector, entities. Our offices are leased

from a third party.

I believe that the building I work in is causing respiratory problems

and possibly joint involvement. I am not the only person in the

building with these symptoms, although most do not see the connection

between the building and their symptoms.

Air quality testing has been performed twice with similar results --

no biotics that indicate a level of concern. The reports do contain

an indication that carbon dioxide levels are elevated, but " below the

level of concern. " I don't have the report in front of me to quote

exact numbers at this time, but can provide that information. I can

tell you that out of 4 sites tested in the building, the first test

indicated CO2 levels over 800ppm and in 3 of the areas tested over

900 ppm. I believe in the second test, the CO2 levels were lower, but

still over 800.

At the insistence of our liability insurance carrier, the building

owner/property management group contracted to have the ducts in our

section of the building cleaned. As it turned out, the contractor

ended up replacing ducts in these sections because, in his words, the

ducts were too deteriorated to clean, they had to be replaced. Even

though this work was completed, when the blowers turn on, black

particulate matter emits from the ducts.

One other worker and I have been referred to the City's Workers'

Compensation doctor. In both our cases, the doctor's report stated

that not all our symptoms could be related to sick building. In both

our cases, we were advised to use air purifiers in our offices, take

frequent breaks outdoors during the working day to " deep breathe "

fresh air and to initiate walking exercise programs. We were both

advised to undergo sleep studies to rule out sleep apnea (even though

neither of us has indicators of that).

No survey of building occupants has been performed. No tests have

been made on the black particulate sustance (although the contractor

who did the duct work told me that it was a combination of

deteriorating fiberglass and mold, based on his experience). It is my

understanding that a building is not considered to be " sick " unless

20% of its occupants exhibit related symptoms for which there is no

other obvious explanation. How is that supposed to be determined

without performing a survey?

How do we get this substance tested? We have collected a number of

samples, including samples taken AFTER the ducts were replaced in our

section of the building. My co-worker has been advised by her

attorney to hold on to her samples until he requests them from her,

so I am holding mine as well. I am aware of at least 2 samples that

have been provided to the City Administrator.

I am convinced that something in the building is affecting my health

because I have never been sick so much in my life before I came to

work at this job. I cannot say I am 100% convinced that the joint

pain is caused by something in the building.

I will stop here and wait for answers. Since this saga has been going

on for years, I could write for a long, long time and not cover all

the points.

Any advice you can provide will be gratefully accepted.

You can respond to me privately at: brainy273@..., if you wish.