Last night, Chattanooga Fire Department officials received a call that Unum was sending people home with headaches from their downtown campus on Walnut Street.
An employee who came by a fire station had elevated carbon monoxide levels, according to the fire department.
Then, CFD started receiving reports that other employees were showing up at hospitals with elevated CO levels.
Later, Unum called Station 1 and CFD crews responded, fire officials state. They found elevated CO levels in a construction area.
The HVAC system was purged to vent through the roof and the ventilation dropped the CO levels to well within normal range.
One of Unum’s buildings was closed Tuesday after the reports and employees showing signs of illness on Monday, said Kelly Spencer, a Unum spokesperson.
“We are investigating the cause of this incident and testing the air quality,” she wrote in an email. “Unum’s top priority is the health and safety of employees. Efforts will continue to ensure that the workspace is safe and secure for all employees. Employees who have experienced health issues are encouraged to contact the company’s HR response team.”
Lindsey Rogers, CFD spokesperson, said the department continuously monitors firefighters for CO poisoning with portable detectors, and they use the same monitors to check patients.