A state agency that occupies one floor of

[Guest guest]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=13476592 & BRD=2185 & PAG=461 & dept_id=416046 & rfi=6

A state agency that occupies one floor of a privately owned office

building in Scranton has closed a section of its space due to

concerns about mold.

The situation on the fifth floor of the Mellon Bank Building, 400

Spruce St., first surfaced nearly a year ago, said Currie, a

spokesman for the state Department of Labor and Industry, which

occupies the suite of offices. The suite houses three workers'

compensation judges, professional and clerical staff.

The mold was detected in ceiling panels in two rooms used for

workers' comp hearings and both rooms were recently closed, Mr.

Currie said. Hearings are being conducted in other rooms in the

suite.

Two employees of the office have filed workers' compensation claims

that might be related to the mold, Mr. Currie said.

The state leases the fifth floor of the building from Wyoming &

Spruce Associates. W. Pettinato, a principal in Wyoming &

Spruce Associates, said the mold surfaced after a leak in the

building's roof.

" In conjunction with the roof leak, we had some tests taken and made

sure the moisture was cleared up, " Mr. Pettinato said.

Mr. Currie said the state contacted Wyoming & Spruce Associates

after " some employees started complaining about odors. "

Mr. Pettinato said an environmental consultant was brought in

earlier this year, performed tests on the ceiling area, removed the

mold and cleaned the air ducts. He said the building management

addressed the state's concerns.

" We proceeded exactly in accordance with their terms and in good due

diligence, " Mr. Pettinato said.

Mr. Currie said the mold reappeared after the initial cleanup and

the state hired an Exton contractor in July to remove remaining

mold. Air samples collected in the hearing rooms came

within " generally accepted levels " for airborne mold, he said.

A September inspection detected a small amount of mold, Mr. Currie

said, and another removal was performed Nov. 20. He said more air

tests in the hearing rooms indicated acceptable levels for mold.

Another inspection is tentatively scheduled Dec. 10, Mr. Currie said.

Off limits

The office continues to function, but the state wants to avoid any

potential health risks until it determines there is no mold in the

ceilings, Mr. Currie said.

" We don't want to put the public near them, " he said.

Mr. Pettinato said he had not been aware of the ongoing situation

involving the office suite.

" We acted swiftly and diligently and we believed the problem has

been cleared up, " he said. " I think (Department of Labor and

Industry) decided that they needed for their own piece of mind to

have it tested independently and they are entitled to that. "

Bill Fiorini, who directs the licenses, inspections and permits

division for Scranton's Department of Community Development, said

the city has no responsibility.

" There are no set standards on mold. There are no regulations on

mold, " Mr. Fiorini said. " Until the government comes up with a

standard, such as with lead or asbestos, I can't do anything about

it. "

©Scranton Times Tribune 2004