Fumes from pigeon pest control in air ducts caused Carson City office to close
The State Division of Insurance office was reopened at 7 this morning after being closed Friday when a number of employees became sick. Employees were told that a grape seed extract had been used in the air ducts to eradicate pigeons.
A spokeswoman with the division confirmed the building was closed because of pest control, performed by a cleaning crew, because of pigeons in the air ducts. The department of Business and Industry closed the building at around 11 a.m. on Friday, sending employees home.
Occupation Safety and Health Administration was called to test the air quality, which is ongoing, said spokeswoman Maria Dal Pan Dias.The building was cleaned further over the weekend. When the office was closed, calls were routed to the Las Vegas Division of Insurance office, she said.
Before the building was closed employees said that they had sore throats and respiratory problems. An anonymous message left to Carson Now said a number of employees had complained about the fumes on Thursday and were told by management to tough it out. On Friday, however, the fumes intensified and employees were told that they could take a sick day but in doing so would have to fill out a lot of paperwork. After they were told about the sick day option, according to the anonymous employee, the building was closed.