Mold stinks up DIA

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Mold stinks up DIA Reports since 1996 describe persistent trouble with fungi By Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain NewsJuly 28, 2003 At least six investigations at Denver International Airport since 1996 have found water leaks and mold growth in basement areas, and de-icing fluid stinking up the swank Red Carpet Club lounge. In one case, federal inspectors found that fungi contamination remained in basement office areas three years after the airport was notified about it. Another report, in 2001, warned of drainage issues that could lead to future odor problems "in the airport as a whole and specifically throughout Concourse B." Earlier this month, two United Airlines employees sued DIA, claiming they were sickened by mold, odors and poor environmental conditions at the airport. The lawsuit alleges that DIA has failed to address the problems and "recklessly and carelessly" exposed tens of thousands of travelers to such conditions. The lawsuit contains 18 allegations of serious mold, odor or other indoor air problems at DIA, including E. coli bacteria colonizing carpets in a concourse basement, sewage leaks near airline gates on Concourse B, high mold counts forcing the closure of training rooms and other areas, and raw sewage pooled in utility tunnels. "Severe environmental conditions have developed at various locations within the airport," the lawsuit said. "As a result . . . the airport presents a health hazard to all who pass through its doors." Inspection reports examined by the Rocky Mountain News show that DIA, United Airlines, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Tri-County Health, Denver's health department and private contractors have repeatedly investigated complaints about indoor air quality on Concourse B over the years. Those records, along with the recent lawsuit, show strong odors, mold infestations and other air-quality problems have been cited in at least 15 specific locations within the airport. The workers suing DIA even trace problems to a drain in one of United Airlines' Red Carpet Club lounges. "Drains (are) so contaminated in the East Red Carpet Room on the fourth level that defendants require acid poured down them once a week," the lawsuit said. Problems not always fixed How - or if - DIA has resolved the problems is another matter. In some cases, inspections turned up little or nothing of concern. But in others, when problems were discovered, they weren't always resolved. In one report, dated May 1999, a contractor hired to investigate complaints on Concourse B wrote: "The Denver facility has had a history of indoor air quality concerns for at least the last three years. . . . The basement area has a history of water leaks and mold growth on the walls and possibly under carpeting." The report indicates that moldy drywall had been removed and replaced within the past 18 months, but "employees are still reporting symptoms." Another inspection, by OSHA, found that mold contamination discovered in Concourse B's basement offices leased by Air Wisconsin in 1996 was present three years later. United chided for mold The same report chided United Airlines, which subleased the basement offices to Air Wisconsin, for recommending further air sampling in the area instead of immediate cleanup of the mold. The OSHA report said DIA needed to address a structural problem: water seepage from outside. "The presence of water on building materials has led to in the past, and continues to support, microbial growth with the potential of causing adverse health effects," the report said. "Prompt repair to the infrastructure must be the primary response to microbial contamination." Perhaps the most frequent target for complaints has been United's Red Carpet Club on the west side of Concourse B. A study by the consulting firm URS Corp. in the fall of 2001 noted "numerous complaints" of a sewer- like smell. "Recently, the complaints have become more frequent and have resulted in some UA employees experiencing short-term health effects, some to the point of requiring medical attention." The company found a bizarre source for the stink: micro-organisms feeding off de-icing fluid trapped in DIA storm drains, with smells wafting inside via roof drains. At first, officials thought the problem was linked to cracks in the foundation of an elevator shaft, allowing stormwater contaminated with de-icing fluid to seep into the shaft. DIA then sealed the cracked foundation, but the problem persisted. URS then discovered the other path for the odors, and recommended DIA make several changes to ventilation and drainage systems. The report said DIA implemented some of the changes and helped alleviate the stink, but warned that "the potential exists for future problems associated with odors and the stormwater sewer system in the airport as a whole, and specifically throughout Concourse B." Employees still complaining It also noted that United Airlines employees were still complaining about smells at other locations. "In response," the report said, "continued investigation of other disagreeable odors at Concourse B may be warranted." Indeed, controlling stormwater and de-icing fluid has been a struggle for DIA. Twice the airport has been fined by Colorado's Water Quality Control Division for a total of nearly $90,000 for failing to contain de-icing fluid that has run off into local creeks. In response, the airport has spent more than $16 million upgrading its drainage system. DIA spokesman Steve Snyder said airport officials declined to speak in detail about the history of indoor air quality complaints, or what steps DIA has taken to address them, because the matter had moved into the legal arena with the recent lawsuit. He did, however, stand by earlier comments that the airport has been "responsive" to concerns. "We've done everything we can up to this point," he said. "We haven't left (the issues) unaddressed." He took exception to another claim in the lawsuit - that travelers who frequent the airport are in danger because of the alleged mold contamination and other problems. "The traveling public is in absolutely no danger," Snyder said. hartmant@... or 303-892-5048