UMW relocates workers because of mold in ducts

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UMW relocates workers because of mold in ducts

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http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/102005/10062005/135384

Employees relocated because of moisture problems in air unit at UMW

administrative building

Date published: 10/6/2005

Fredericksburg,VA

By KELLY HANNON

Some 20 University of Washington employees will be moved from

an administrative building while a heating and air-conditioning unit

is replaced due to moisture problems.

The employees work in the basement of Washington Hall in

Fredericksburg. The four-story building houses many administrative

offices, including the university president's.

Results from an air-quality study of the basement, performed by

MACTEC Federal Programs Inc. of Herndon, found measurable levels of

mold, according to an e-mail from Hurley, UMW's chief

financial officer and executive vice president of finance.

Hurley e-mailed all university employees yesterday afternoon.

" The MACTEC report does not indicate any immediate health hazards,

but does recommend upgrading the portion of the building's HVAC

system that serves the basement, " he wrote.

The university's physician has reviewed the test results and

concluded the mold does not pose a health threat, said Ron

Singleton, UMW's senior vice president for advancement and

university relations.

" What was found is comparable to what you would find in virtually

every building, your house, " Singleton said.

However, he added, " Different people react to different levels of

mold. Some can tolerate very little. Some can tolerate quite a lot. "

The basement's heating and air-conditioning unit is separate from

the units on upper floors.

Accounting, finance, information technology and payroll workers have

offices in the basement.

Students and most university employees do not typically enter the

basement, Singleton said.

Normally, the unit would be replaced during the summer, but the

upcoming renovation of Lee Hall, set to begin in summer 2006, has

forced the Washington Hall project to start sooner, he said.

Displaced workers from Lee Hall will need an alternate location this

summer, and to prevent simultaneous relocations, the work at

Washington will begin shortly.

It could be several weeks before Washington Hall workers are

moved, Singleton said, and the university community will be notified

of their new location.

To reach KELLY HANNON: 540/374-5436 khannon@...

Date published: 10/6/2005