Several years ago I was investigating an IAQ complaint for the Vice President of Transportation for a large oil company. The complaint involved throat and sinus irritation when the VP sat in his office for more than 30 minutes. And this guy spent most of his day in his office, which meant he had problems most of the day.
We did our normal review of the HVAC systems, custodial issues, airborne particle levels, and interviews with the complainant. Because of his symptoms, we also suggested collecting some air samples. Amazingly, the laboratory’s analysis of the air samples indicated that there was an unusual bacteria present in the office. They further reported that this bacteria was usually found on the skin of dead animals. Uh oh! I got a ladder and spent an hour looking above the ceilings, down the walls, and under furniture, looking for that little critter. But, I had no luck! Finally I resigned to tell the occupant that there wasn’t a dead animal in sight.
As I stood in front of his desk, I started to explain the results. It was then, that I noticed he had a large stuffed duck on the credenza directly behind him. Moreover, that duck was looking right … at … me!
I asked the VP how long the duck had been there and how often it was cleaned or dusted. He responded with “at least 10 years,” and that the custodians regularly clean it for him (or so he thought). Well, that wasn’t the case.
We collected samples from the duck feathers and confirmed that the bacteria the lab reported was growing on his taxidermied trophy. That was the first – but not the last – time we have seen stuffed animals causing problems. (And yes, the eyes were really spooky!)
Building Air Quality does a lot of proactive IAQ surveys of commercial buildings. As we walk the tenant spaces, we often look for the kinds of issues that can affect air quality, but which are controlled by building occupants. And you’d better believe that we make a note of those pesky taxidermied animals now!
We also routinely ask tenants how often the custodians clean their mounts. We know the answer. Most times though, the occupants don’t. They are genuinely surprised when we lightly pass a finger or palm over the fur or feathers, only to come back with a thick coating of dust. Probably years of dust! And we have learned that the presence of this dust can encourage the growth of bacteria on the skin or fur. This bacteria can (and has) had an impact on occupants when it occurs on a stuffed animal in their space. It can have an impact on your tenants too!
Property management must remind tenants that it is their responsibility to clean these kinds of items. If occupants cannot keep them clean, then the stuffed animal should be removed from the building.