Carbon monoxide tests keep Deschutes Health bldg. closed

Deschutes County Health Services’ main building on NE Courtney Drive in Bend will remain closed through at least Friday, as authorities conduct more air quality tests to clear the building of low levels of carbon monoxide.

The county closed the building last week for air quality testing, which is expected to continue through the end of the week. Problems first arose earlier this year, prompting complaints from some workers.

Officials said initial test results show intermittent readings of “very low carbon monoxide levels in limited areas of the building,” adding that they “are well below established industry workplace safety standards.

“We’ve taken specific measures to address possible sources of CO based on input from our indoor air quality consultant and mechanical engineer,” said Lee Randall, Deschutes County’s facilities director.

“We plan to continue testing over the next few days with those measures in place to verify that this approach is working as part of the immediate stabilization of air quality within the building. We are also continuing to finalize plans for the permanent replacement of the building’s heating system.”

Clients who have appointments at the Health Department’s Courtney location will be contacted to reschedule or with instructions if the appointment is being moved to another location.

Employees who normally work in the Courtney building are working from other locations and all other Health Services locations are open for regularly scheduled hours. the county said.

Clients can contact Health Services by calling (541) 322-7500 for behavioral health and (541) 322-7400 for public health during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.