Mold causes health concerns at local office-Remax

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Mold causes health concerns at local office

Savannah Morning News - Savannah,GA

http://new.savannahnow.com/node/153616

After ReMax 1st Choice employees become ill, business owner hires

firm to perform tests to determine cause

RINCON - When employees of ReMax 1st Choice suddenly fell ill,

business owner and broker French became alarmed and

summoned an expert to find the cause.

Win Home Inspection performed tests at the ReMax offices at 135

Goshen Road Ext., and detected high levels of the black mold,

Stachybotrys.

Carole Hogge, a 61-year-old ReMax agent, entered the hospital about

two weeks ago suffering from symptoms linked to the mold, French

said. French said this and other illnesses prompted her to get the

laboratory test.

C.J. BoBo-Ellison, an employee who handles rental property, has been

feeling sick since about March and April, experiencing puffy eyes

and nose bleeds.

" I knew something was wrong, " Ellison said. " I just didn't know what

it was. "

Ellison was not the only one.

Bright, an employee since ReMax 1st Choice opened two years

ago, said she suffers from nose bleeds and allergy symptoms after

working in the conference center.

French told Ed Beaty, the building's owner, about the results of the

inspection, which contained reports of fungus in the air and in the

carpet. According to the report made up by Win Home Inspection, the

mold was caused by " moisture infiltration around the windows. "

French also informed Beaty on corrective procedures suggested by

inspectors.

" Windows have been leaking for two-and-a-half years, " said

French. " When I told Beaty, he said he would handle it, not to worry

about it. "

When questioned later about the mold, Beaty offered a written

statement in which he said he took all necessary steps to determine

what the problem was and then immediately followed recommendations

of environmental experts.

Beaty's statement also said, " Although there remains testing to be

done, our consultant has informed us that he has not determined that

dangerous levels of any kind of substances or mold exists or ever

existed. "

On Oct. 3, ReMax 1st employees arrived at work to find the walls in

the conference center had been stripped and a strong odor similar to

bleach filled the hallway.

French said her office's main hallway that is shared by Effingham

Rehab Spine & Sport now has the smell of strong chemicals.

" My main concern is for the people who work here, the people who

come here and the customers ..., " said French. " I'm just sorry that

he's not more concerned about the people in this building. "

Arthur V. , president of the independent consulting firm

Arthur V. Associates Inc., is an expert in health and safety

issues and air quality control. Having worked all over the U.S. and

12 other countries, he was called on to test the Rincon office.

He said test results won't be available until next week, but did say

bleach should not be used to treat mold.

" Bleach is not an effective means for killing mold. In fact it adds

more moisture and it can exacerbate the molds, " said. " I

think the EPA no longer recognizes bleach as a contamination clean-

up product. "

Meanwhile, French remains concerned about the health of office

employees.

" I want a safe environment for the agents and the office staff to

work in. That's my main goal, " French said.

On Thursday, the ReMax office was still officially closed, but

agents moved their switchboard upstairs to a safer room, according

to French. For customers and clients convenience, agents can be

contacted at (912) 826-1000 and will arrange a meeting at a more

convenient location.