DIMAS investigation finds no health risk, but ventilation improvements advised

ORANJESTAD - Justice Minister Arthur Dowers has received the final report into conditions at the DIMAS building, following an incident several weeks ago in which several employees became ill during working hours after a strong gas-like odor was detected and concerns were raised about possible mold.

The building was evacuated as a precaution, after which the Department of Public Health and PURE Indoor Air Quality Solutions carried out air-quality tests, mold sampling and inspections of the central air-conditioning system.

According to the report, the results fall within normal standards and there is no indication that the building poses a health risk to DIMAS employees or visitors.

The report does, however, recommend improvements to ventilation and air circulation. Dowers said those recommendations will receive attention, noting that several government buildings have aging ventilation and air-conditioning systems that will gradually need modernization.