To help address these concerns, I respectfully request that the ductwork and air registers servicing our area be inspected for mold growth and/or excessive dust accumulation. If issues are identified, it would be beneficial to have the affected components cleaned, treated, or sterilized as appropriate.
If feasible, consideration might also be given to:
Conducting an indoor air quality assessment for this area
Reviewing HVAC maintenance and filter replacement schedules
Documenting findings and any remediation steps taken
Our intent is to ensure a safe and healthy work environment, and we appreciate any steps that can be taken to investigate and address these concerns.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Identify deficiencies that may impact IEQ and/or sources of odor concerns. Typically includes the following depending on the nature of concern, but not limited to:
- interview/questionnaire of concern individual(s)
- inspection above drop ceiling (condition of roof deck, pipe insulation, return air plenum)
- inspection of ventilation system (operation of variable air volume box and outdoor air dampers, check controls, measurements of carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity, sources near outdoor air intake, measure return and supply air volume, cleanliness of coils, liner and condensate pan)
- inspection of exterior
- inspection below drop ceiling (housekeeping, sink and floor drain traps, signs of past and present moisture concern via visual and/or moisture meter, mold growth, ensure connection of current and capping of abandoned sanitary vents, odorizers, excessive plants and fabric items, identify potential pathways, and measure volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and lighting)
Dates of Assessment: May 1, 5, 2026
May 1, 2026
The staff member's workstation and adjacent areas were evaluated.
A visual inspection of the ceiling plenum (above the ceiling tiles) and accessible areas below the ceiling revealed no evidence of visible mold growth or pest droppings.
No significant accumulations of dust were observed within the staff member's work area during the assessment.
Carpeted flooring was evaluated for elevated moisture content using a moisture meter. No elevated moisture levels were detected.
May 5, 2026
The Office of the Environment interviewed the staff member to obtain additional information regarding the reported indoor environmental quality (IEQ) concerns.
The staff member reported that symptoms began prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). The staff member further indicated that no improvement in symptoms had been observed following the recent remediation of the air handling unit (AHU) serving the work area (see IEQ Concern Report CXXXCO20260003A2 for additional information regarding the remediation activities).
The staff member reported that dust accumulates on the desk and requires cleaning each time they work on-site, which is currently one day per week.
The staff member also reported recent observations of rodent activity within the area.
The following corrective actions were implemented to address the reported concerns:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) conducted an inspection of the work area and found no evidence of current pest activity. As a precautionary measure, traps were placed.
The Office of the Environment retained a National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)-certified HVAC duct cleaning contractor to evaluate the cleanliness of the supply diffusers and associated ductwork serving the work area.
On May 11, 2026, the contractor installed filter media over the supply diffusers to assess whether the HVAC system was contributing to dust accumulation within the workspace. The filter media were removed on June 10, 2026, and compared with unused filter media for evaluation.
Visual examination of the collected filter media did not identify evidence of excessive dust accumulation, indicating that the HVAC supply system was not generating a dusty environment.
Custodial staff were reminded that horizontal surfaces within the work area are to be dusted routinely in accordance with established cleaning protocols.
Non-issued disinfectant should be removed. The non-issued disinfectant was reported as containing compounds known to be an eye irritant. Furthermore, individuals could have allergic reactions to the fragrance compounds in the cleaner.