Mold detected in Wexford County facility

[Guest guest]

http://www.record-eagle.com/2005/jan/20mold.htm

January 20, 2005

Mold detected in Wexford County facility

By PATRICK SULLIVAN

Record-Eagle staff writer

CADILLAC - Some Wexford County workers may have to move their

offices until black mold is cleaned out of the old county courthouse.

Molly Whetstone, equalization director, asked to have her

office tested after she and some of her employees became congested

while at work, county administrator Mike Sutter said.

The offices were tested on Dec. 31 and Sutter said he learned

last week the tests came back positive for mold.

That prompted Sutter to test more offices in the old

courthouse and he expects to receive the results of those tests at

the end of this week or next week. Sutter said the only affected

areas are in the old section of the courthouse.

Black mold can cause respiratory problems and allergic

reactions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sutter said he believes the mold developed after a cast iron

drain pipe under the building broke during a heavy rain storm last

spring.

The cleanup of affected areas should take two to four weeks.

Sutter said he hopes arrangements can be made so that employees will

be moved to other offices in the courthouse.

The county's insurance company, Michigan Municipal Risk

Management Authority, should cover the cost of the cleanup, he said.

Whetstone said she had no comment.