Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:45:26 -0500
From: nabooko
Subject: Engineer’s Assestment of Library Odor Stinks
Wonder how many of you out there remember Love’s Canel New York? A community in the 1970s that was built on a toxic waste dump? It all started with a few people complaining- one with burning eyes, another with a sore throat, another with a headache? The developer played down the problems. Investigations were slow. Eventually people were dying from cancer. After several people died and others ruined for life, that part of the development was abandoned.
I am not saying the problem at our new Library is nearly as serious, but who knows? Why risk even one person’s health? Headaches, burning eyes, chest pains? Come on now! Just what is going on at the new county Library.? Are we, the complainers, just a bunch of sissies, perennial complainers that don’t know a “good?” thing when we have it?
The odor and effects of whatever is in the air, doesn’t seem to bother all, but quite a few complain of headaches, burning eyes, sore throats. I was there last week and again, there was the bad taste on my tongue, but this time, when I got home I felt a tightness in my chest. Today, I went back- I was in the library less than a total of 15 mins, and again, the taste in the mouth and discomfort in my chest- and at this point, two hours later, my chest still hurts. I am not sure if I intend to return to the library until the problem is fixed.
Folks, I think this is far more serious than we are being told. Maybe ignorance on the part of a lot of people- but why take a chance with health and life? It is a misconception to think the odor is only inside the building. It is very strong at times, on the outside, seemingly blowing off the top of the building- especially just when you step under the first part of the porch in front of the glass wall of donor names.
Last week’s Chatham Record newspaper had a front page article “New county library smell troubles some”- Troublesome- a good word. A grand total of 263 words devoted to a problem that could turn out to be a total nightmare healthwise. It seems that the engineering firm investigating, has found small amounts of Pentane in the air.” Not anywhere near a hazardous level”. (that is great for engineers who don’t frequent the Library) “This really isn’t unusual” the engineer said “Some people are just more sensitive to it”- WHAT A CROCK! Let him spend the day there. Bet he won’t bring his baby there. Bet he won’t let his kids breath in those fumes for a few hours. Small amounts? Who know what amounts it takes to make some of us sick?
Pentane is a chemical used in many products such as fabric softener, plastics, etc. and is highly flammable.
I Googled Pentane and found this :Pentane: “Danger – Harmful if inhaled ….Avoid breathing vapor.” “Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors may cause CNS depression. Contact can cause eye irritation.
Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (skin rash).” Google it for yourself- there is plenty more.
Several mother’s have complained that small children and babies have had problems while at or after visiting the Library. Just what will it take to get to the root of this problem? The death of a baby? The damaged brain of a 4 year old? PREGNANT WOMEN PLEASE CONSIDER THE RISK! Kids can’t always tell or describe what they are feeling or
if they don’t feel right. Effects of Pentane could be mistaken for something else.
And the effects of the “odor” may not be felt while in the library. Who knows? It could be hours, days or weeks before it bothers some. It could be a buildup in the system or any number of reasons it affects some people differently- It may be affecting them and they don’t even realize it.
I really hope that more than one consultant will be called in to probe this problem. We can’t just continue to call it “the new smell”- Someone could possibly die from it.
N.A. Booko