Broome County Office Building Undergoing New Round of Tests
Message to County Office Building Employees:
As you all know, we recently conducted air and surface tests because of a handful of employee complaints about trace amounts of debris dropping on some desks and work stations. Here is some background information and results of those tests.
Background:
In response to complaints(6 scattered over a ten month period), we called in PESH, the Public Employees Safety and Health Bureau. Following an initial consultation, PESH recommended Broome County test(both air and wipe samples) for three things; silica, asbestos and PCB’s. Jennings Environmental was hired to conduct these air and surface tests. These samples were taken in various areas on different floors.
The results have come in and we wanted to share that information with all of our County Office Building employees as well as the public. There was no asbestos detected in any of the samples. Amounts of silica were detected at levels well below what is considered acceptable. Finally, there are some PCB test results that will require additional investigation.
Here is what we know about the PCB test results at this time.
Air Tests:
The air sampling results show PCB’s were below detectable levels.
Wipe Tests:
12 surface samples conducted, again in various areas of the building, did detect levels of PCB’s ranging from non-detectable to 5.4 micrograms per 100 square centimeters. All test results are well below the United States Environmental Protection Agency standards for non-porous surfaces in high occupancy areas, which is 10 micrograms per 100 square centimeters.
Conclusions:
Broome County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health staff provided preliminary interpretation of the air and surface wipe results. Based on the sampling results associated with residue on office surfaces and the toxicity data on PCB’s, staff believes the results do not indicate an immediate health concern.
Broome County Department of Health and New York State Department of Health agreed that we can continue normal county operations. We are conducting additional tests to identify the source of the dust and the source of the PCB’s and will consult with the Broome County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health during these tests.
Who to contact:
If you have any concerns about nuisance dust/debris on your desk or in your work space, please contact Harry Miller, Deputy Commissioner of Buildings and Grounds at 778-2151(p)/343-0901(c). All employees are encouraged to practice good housekeeping protocol. But again if you observe any dust or debris, contact Harry Miller.
If you have any health related questions, please contact Ron Brink, with the Broome County Health Department at 778-2806 or rbrink@co.broome.ny.us .
Information Sessions:
In addition, New York State Toxicologist Ken Bogdan will be at the Broome County Office Building Tuesday, March 9th in the afternoon to answer any questions employees might have regarding this situation.
Ken will do brief overviews at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. At those times, or any time between those times, employees can stop in to ask questions.
Ken will be conducting these sessions in the second floor auditorium jut past elections.
We have posted this message as well as the test results on www.gobroomecounty.com to keep you informed of any new developments.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause some of you but again we can assure you that we are taking all recommended steps to protect the health and safety of our employees and the public.
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Test Results
Jennings February 27th Air Test Results
Posted: 3/8/2010 3:55 pm
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Contact Information
Barbara J. Fiala,
County Executive
Patrick J. Brennan,
Deputy County Executive
of Physical Services
Darcy M. Fauci,
Deputy County Executive
of Human Services
Sixth Floor
Broome County Office Building
60 Hawley Street
PO Box 1766
Binghamton, NY 13902-1766
Phone: 607.778.2109
Fax: 607.778.2044
Email