Foothills Hospital mold likely toxic

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http://calgary.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ed_mold20030402

Apr 2 2003 09:37 AM CST

Foothills mold likely toxic: officials

Calgary - Mold found in the dialysis unit at the Foothills Hospital, which nurses believe has been making them sick, is likely toxic, health officials say.

Dr. Cam Waddell, medical director at Foothills, says the mold hasn't been tested yet, but he believes it's probably the same black mold – stachybotrys – found on the same floor last fall. The new patch of mold, found in a washroom joining the nurses' station and a treatment area, has been cleaned up and Waddell says the unit is safe."We're doing everything we can, taking the health concerns seriously," he said. "And absolutely, if we felt there was any danger, we'd be the first ones to suggest we take even more serious measures. But we feel everything we do now is adequately protecting their health." At least 30 nurses – about a third of the staff on the ward – have complained of headaches and breathing problems for months. Over the weekend, a two-foot patch of mold was found in a washroom. The United Nurses of Alberta says RNs working in that unit have complained of symptoms ranging from hives to chronic nose bleeds to respiratory problems. There is no evidence linking the ailments to the mold. Two nurses are off on sick leave and five transferred to other units. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has also received health complaints from its LPNs and support staff members. The problems began after the unit flooded in September and the Calgary Health Region cleaned up "small spots" of toxic mold. At the time, officials insisted staff and patients were in no imminent danger. The nurses' union has filed a complaint with Alberta Workplace Health and Safety, asking that an independent expert be allowed to test the air quality.

From April 1, 2003: Nurses file complaints over mold at Foothills