The state is investigating complaints from state employees in Bennington who say files from a now-closed office building weren’t properly cleaned and remain a danger to them.
Dozens of boxes of files from the Bennington State Office Building are being stored in a storage closet at state Department of Corrections space in modular offices on the grounds of the building.
Several workers say they’ve been hit by respiratory problems, from bronchitis to pneumonia, after coming in contact with the files. They filed a complaint earlier this month.
Acting Health Commissioner Sharon Moffatt says environmental epidemiologist Doctor Austin Sumner is gathering information but hasn’t determined if the files are to blame for any illnesses.
In the meantime, the Department of Buildings and General Services is trying to keep people away from the files.