Air Traffic Controllers and Mold: Not a good mix, do you think?

November 1, 2005

WOOD Channel 8

Grand Rapids, MI

Air traffic controllers concerned about mold

(Cascade Township, November 1, 2005, 7:50 a.m.) Air traffic controllers at

Grand Rapids Ford International Airport say their work environment is making

them sick. The problem, they say, is mold.

" We have 21 controllers. We've had 11 people confirmed with respiratory

illnesses from their doctor, " says Donna Cole NATCA Local GRR President.

The air traffic controllers claim the tower's poor plumbing and leaky roof is

creating an environment where mold is flourishing and have requested the

Federal Aviation Administration take a closer look.

" I'm not aware of any upcoming tests by the FAA, to physically,

scientifically sample any of these are where you can see mold growing on the

ceiling

tiles, " says Cole.

Interior photos taken by an environmental safety contractor show mold on the

walls and vents, and tests done by the group show elevated concentrations of

mold. The contractor was hired by the air traffic controllers.

24 Hour News 8 talked with the Federal Aviation Administration Monday

afternoon. It says it's addressing the situation. Yet, over the past 10 months,

the

air traffic controllers say they've had an overwhelming number of workers

who are complaining of respiratory and central nervous system ailments.

" It also causes dizziness, nausea, and they've apparently documents it in the

studies. I've read an inability to concentrate, which is our job. That's

what we get paid to do, " says Cole. That has a lot of controllers calling in

sick. With fewer sets of eyes on the skies, the union says it's already had one

close call.

" Without having a body there, we had a controller who had a plane fly through

the tower's airspace, and no one saw it before an incident occurred. A plane

came within 200 feet of another plane. They're supposed to be 1,000 feet

apart, " says Cole.

The FAA says it is taking a pro-active approach by doing remediation mold in

control towers in Grand Rapids, Detroit's Metro Airport and Willow Run in

Ypsilanti.

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