Mold cleanup at mansion COLUMBIA, S.C.

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Mold cleanup at mansion to take two months

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20040702/APN/407020925

By JENNIFER HOLLAND

Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Hazardous mold growing in the Gov.'s Mansion will

keep South Carolina's first family out of their home until at least

September, officials said Friday.

Gov. Mark Sanford, his wife and their four boys retreated to their

private home on Sullivans Island last month after they were told the

mold was toxic and the building was closed.

The family expected to be displaced about three weeks, but a company

hired to eliminate the problem says it needs more time to either

clean or completely replace the building's heating and cooling

systems.

" Preliminary investigation revealed a significant fungal reservoir,

mainly confined to the air handling system, " said , a

microbiologist with Risk Tech LLC of ton.

Mold also was found in other buildings on the grounds of the Gov.'s

Mansion Complex, including the historic Lace House that was renovated

earlier this year.

Mike Sponhour, the spokesman for the State Budget and Control Board,

which oversees maintenance on the buildings, said the cost of the

mold cleanup had not been determined.

" Under no circumstances is this going to require that we go to the

General Assembly to ask for money, " Sponhour said. " We've got a fund

set aside to deal with this. "

He said the project was expected to take about three months, but the

governor's family could move back in by Sept. 1.

The governor's spokesman Drummond said the Sanfords would

remain on Sullivans Island while arrangements were made for them to

stay in Columbia.

said there are a variety of issues that may have caused the

mold to grow in the air handling system, which was installed when the

building was renovated. He said dust leftover from the construction

and high humidity in the dark air ducts created ripe conditions for

mold to grow.

said further investigation will reveal whether there was an

error in the design, installation or operation of the air system

since the mansion was reopened three years ago.

The state spent $5.6 million renovating the downtown Columbia

building, which has been home to governors since the 1870s and was

built as faculty quarters for Arsenal Military Academy in 1856.

First lady Sanford has said the mold caused health problems

with family and staff members.

The State Budget and Control Board put in manual controls intended to

reduce humidity last August after mold first was discovered in one

upstairs bedroom closet.

The first lady wasn't satisfied and hired a ton engineer to

investigate the building's air handling system. In March, the

engineer, who donated his services, concluded that system hadn't been

built properly.

Further investigation by the state found mold spores in the air were

toxic, and the building was closed June 21.

Sponhour said it was too early to blame anyone for the problem,

but " we're keeping all of our legal options open. "