Air flowing through two government buildings in downtown Lawrence received a clean bill of health this month from state officials, but at least one county employee who has complained about the buildings’ air quality remains skeptical.

Air inside the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass., and Judicial & Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St., is safe to breathe and shows no indication of problems related to mold, high humidity or carbon monoxide, said Rudy Leutzinger, administrator for industrial safety and health at the Kansas Department of Human Resources.

At the request of county officials, Verle Cornish, an industrial hygiene supervisor for the department, tested 20 locations in the two buildings for any indication of unsafe air. He forwarded the tests to a lab in Wisconsin, and the results showed no sign of major problems.

“The results came back without any detectable issues,” Leutzinger said.

Two areas inside the Judicial & Law Enforcement Center a small information technology room in the basement and the front office area of the Sheriff’s Office on the second floor showed slightly elevated levels of carbon monoxide, he said, but the results remained well below levels considered hazardous.

A final report is expected to be issued later this week.

¢ 6News video: County receives air quality test results

County officials ordered the tests after receiving a complaint signed by more than 130 county employees who claimed that the county had denied them a safe working environment. The petitioners claimed that the mold or other contaminants in the Judicial & Law Enforcement Center led to recurrent headaches, dizziness, sinus problems, sore throats, skin problems, blurred vision, ear infections, shortness of breath, chest tightness, bronchial infections and coughs for many employees.

Cindy Axman, whose signature is first on the written complaint, said she would reserve judgment until seeing the fine print.

“We’re pleased that they have done all the tests, and we’re looking forward to getting the results,” said Axman, a secretary in the sheriff’s front office. “Depending on those results we will determine our next route, or if it’s OK we may let it go.”