re: help for stacyryanx

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the sickbuilding board. I'm sorry you have the need to search

here, but hope you find some helpful answers. Maybe even something your

management will believe and act on. Unfortunately, people's level of

sensitivity varies all over the place. So, while you are having health

problems which you associate with the workplace, your boss might fail to see

anything wrong. That's what happened to me and many other people on this

discussion board. I was laughed at, ignored, and treated as a hypochondriac,

at least until a few other people started making similar complaints.

Mold arises whenever there is a moisture problem. You didn't mention

anything specific except the vents. Ventilation systems are unfortunately

often very good breeding grounds for mold and other bioaerosols. Problems

are usually mildest in winter, unless there is a humidifier in there. If

not, summer will be worse than winter, with mold growing on the air

conditioner coils and drain pan. Duct work and plenums made with fiberglass

ductboard, or incorporating interior fibrous insulation, such as fiberglass,

are also dust traps which grow mold using the water droplets which

aerosolize from the cooling coils, due to the speed of the air passing

through, to grow mold. Too many building owners think the only maintenance

required on HVAC is to change the filters periodically and oil the fan

motors. Complete maintenance requires changing filters regularly with high

efficiency, properly fitted filters (preferably antimicrobial), along with

periodic cleaning of AC coils, ducts, and fans with mild detergent, followed

by thourough rinsing and disinfection with chlorine disinfectant (either

Oxine fog or spray with dilute Clorox). If enough people complain,

management might opt to have the ducts cleaned. This will fall short if the

fan, AC coils, drain line, and drain pan are not also cleaned and

disinfected.

I suggest you look up www.dehs.umn.edu (University of Minnesota department

of health and safety) and search for mold info. Somewhere in there you will

find info on remediation of contaminated HVAC systems. You might also look

on www.niosh.gov for an online book called " Indoor Air Quality: a Guide for

Building Owners and Facility Managers " . With the wealth of information

freely available, there is no reason why one more person should be

needlessly sickened as so many of us were.

One last word of advice: chances are your boss is experiencing no problems

yet and will ignore your requests. If so, start looking for a different job

before your health deteriorates too far.

help

Posted by: " stacyryanx " stacyryanx@... stacyryanx

Date: Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:57 pm ((PDT))

as soon as i walk into work my eyes water. over the last 4-5 months i

have been to the doctor twice and emergency room once. tosilitis,

pluerisy, and allergies. the air vents in my workplace are filthy, i

am definitely interested in learning more about this subject.

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