cooper's Profile
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March 25, 2008
Health Hazards: neighbor's never ending renovation
Our neighbors in the brownstone next door launched a very extensive renovation plan last year now 6 months past the proposed end date with no end in sight. We put up with months of loud noise 7 days a week and white dust particles but then came the fumes. These chemical odors are so strong they give you instant headaches. A number of residents in my co-op are retired or work from home so there is no escaping overpowering fumes. We've tried calling 311, made complaints to the health dept, EPA and even had inspectors come out and assess the situation. The workers continue to keep windows shut while using toxic paint, varnish and stains unless we remind them several times a day to open windows to ventilate so the fumes don't just travel next door. We have developed coughs, runny noses and are concerned about longterm effects. Our neighbor is practically non-responsive (while living elsewhere). Any suggestions? Should we be staying somewhere else too? What is reasonable to inflict on neighbors?