Staff move clinics out of smelly building
A mysterious smell has prompted 30 health workers to move out of a central Palmerston North building where they have been based for four years.
Te Whatu Ora MidCentral said in a written response to questions that the staff were from the public health and community child health teams, which until recently were working from what used to be the RSA site on Broadway Ave.
Staff had reported a smell on the ground floor of the building which made some people feel unwell late last year.
At that time, primary health organisation Think Hauora acting chief executive Mike Grant said there had been a total of four intermittent days when staff who shared the building had reported headaches, sometimes in retrospect.
Preliminary test results indicated a low presence, within safety limits, of a substance that could come from office furnishings, but it was not believed to be the source of the smell or the symptoms.
None of the Think Hauora staff were relocated at that time.
Testing was done by an independent agency in November, but did not detect anything that would explain the symptoms which included nausea, respiratory issues and headaches.
Formaldehyde was detected, but well below accepted exposure levels.
No problems were reported at any nearby buildings.
“Early in the New Year the issue seemed to have resolved, with no odour detected in the leased space,” the Te Whatu Ora statement said.
“However, in recent weeks the odour has returned, and staff directly impacted have vacated the premises again.”
Parties including the building owner were continuing to monitor the situation.
A staff register had been set up to record any unusual activity to determine whether there were any patterns.
As a health and safety precaution, staff had been accommodated in alternative premises on Palmerston North Regional Hospital’s campus and in the community while investigations continued.
Affected staff were still allowed into the building for short visits to pick up stored equipment as needed.
Te Whatu Ora MidCentral said the health and well-being of staff was paramount, and managers were working closely with impacted teams to provide support and workable locations to continue to provide services to the public.
There was an apology for inconvenience offered to patients who had been affected by the relocation of clinics to other sites.
The building is home base for Public Health teams, Think Hauora, Te Tihi o Ruahine Alliance, and Diabetes Trust.
Stuff asked Te Whatu Ora about the situation on February 27.