Something is giving headaches to Arizona House Democrats and their staff. And it’s not Republicans.
State officials sent a certified industrial hygienist to the nearly 60-year-old capitol building earlier this month after basement staffers complained about headaches and light-headedness during their work day.
Rep. Isela Blanc said she gets a headache every morning and they go away on weekends
"I know everybody is worried about what's going on down there," Blanc said. "We go down there. So we're worried for ourselves. So I think the next step has to be something done very quickly, that we have to act very quickly."
An agency lobbyist reported that tests were run on everything from carbon monoxide and volatile organic chemicals to temperature and humidity. The results, she told members of the House Administration Committee, were all within the normal range.
But Republican Representative Kelly Townsend said those results are inconclusive.
“Because there's only been a visual test done. And that's wholly inadequate," Townsend said. "And so I just want to emphasize the importance of quickly acting and actually testing for mold."
Townsend is calling for extensive testing of surfaces for toxins, not just in the basement but throughout the building including the heating and air conditioning system.