Sick building syndrome

I am forwarding this message from LIBPLN-L, concerning sick building
syndrome in a library in Hawaii.  Suggestions may be sent direct to
Hawaii, but, I think it would be interesting to see them here as well.

    Date: 27 Jun 90
    From: Marilyn Naito <NAITO@UHCCVX>
    Subject: Library environment
    To: OLLEY@IUBACS

    Thanks for the help and the suggestion about Paul Banks.  One of the
    severe problems we seem to have out here in several libraries is
    health problems of library staff.  In my own small environment,
    upper respiratory problems are extremely prevalent - one older staff
    member sometimes uses a portable oxygen device to get a clear
    breath.  Within weeks of beginning work, our student assistants are
    quickly complaining of colds and respiratory-related complaints.  I,
    myself, have had problems with it and none of us have had
    satisfactory answers from doctors.  Our air conditioning system was
    checked, we were told the filters are clean, but the problem
    persists - perhaps becoming worse after the inspection. Particulate
    matter often is visible in the air early after opening on Monday's -
    after the air conditioning is shut down for the weekend.  Has anyone
    experienced anything similar, to your knowledge?  HVAC expertise is
    rare in Hawaii and many of the libraries out here have similar - but
    less severe - complaints. Thanks, again, for the feedback.
    -- Marilyn Naito
    -- NAITO [at] UHCCVX__UHCC__HAWAII__EDU -------

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                   Conservation DistList Instance 4:5
                  Distributed: Thursday, May 28, 1990
                        Message Id: cdl-4-5-004
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