Mold forces Dorchester County woman out of office

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http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/4382410.htm

Oct. 27, 2002

Mold forces Dorchester County woman out of office

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. - Dorchester County Register of Mesne Conveyance

Messervy was excited when she moved from the county courthouse in St.

into her new, larger office last year.

But she soon began to experience severe pain and swelling, and when

scientists tested the air in her office at the F. Waggoner Services

Center, they found microscopic spores of two different kinds of mold.

Messervy is severely allergic to the mold, which only was found in her

office.

Ever since then, Messervy has had to work from home, while all of the

records and files deeds, mortgages, property plats and other documents she

works with stay in her office.

" I tried my best to come to work, " said Messervy, who was elected RMC in

1992, 1996 and 2000. " I would be there about 20 minutes and then start to

get really red-faced. I would swell to the point I looked like Miss Piggy

and I felt like my throat was closing up. "

County Administrator Colin said recently that a $43,000 effort to

clean the building, reduce the humidity and install an air filtration system

should have gotten rid of the molds.

But Messervy said her doctor advises it may be too risky for her to return.

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