Bad Air Reported at Parker Center

The fourth floor of Parker Center, Los Angeles’ deteriorating police headquarters, is plagued by air quality problems that may threaten workers’ health, according to a report released Monday by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

An inspection by the health department’s environmental hygiene program found accumulations of fiberglass fibers, high carbon-dioxide levels and poor room pressurization. Human exposure to the fibers can cause redness, burning and irritation to the eyes and skin, as well as coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath, officials said.

The review began in December after members of the LAPD’s scientific investigation division complained about health problems, which were attributed to poor air circulation.

A month earlier, the Los Angeles Police Commission had said it was looking to raze the downtown Parker Center because of numerous health and safety deficiencies and temporarily move department headquarters during construction of a replacement.

The county’s findings about the fourth floor, which were sent to Police Chief William J. Bratton, called on the department to identify the source of the fiberglass contamination and improve the building’s ventilation system. But it stopped short of calling for the relocation of employees from the polygraph unit on the building’s fourth floor.

“The information that we got shows that there is some contamination with fiberglass, but we don’t have enough information to determine if there is an extreme or a significant risk at this point,” said Evenor Masis, an industrial hygienist with the department. “I don’t feel there is an emergency type of situation.”

Laura Johnson, an LAPD administrator who oversees issues related to Parker Center, said the city’s review contradicted the county’s findings and found that the fourth floor’s air quality was within acceptable limits.

“The city and the county continue to disagree,” Johnson said.

She acknowledged, however, that the fourth floor of Parker Center has inadequate air circulation.

Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county’s public health director, said his agency stands by the report. “We didn’t make it up,” he said.

The need for new ventilation and other systems is one of several reasons the department wants a new building.

Officials have approved negotiations to purchase about 300,000 square feet of office space, Johnson said.