MOE mold problem now worse

[Guest guest]

Source: MOE mold problem now worse

By VIRAJ PERPALL, Guardian Staff Reporter

viraj@...

The Nassau Guardian

The issue of molds in the Ministry of Education (MOE) building on

Boulevard still exists and may be in need of some attention

once again, The Guardian has learned.

According to well-placed government sources, the molds which sparked

controversy last January are still a vivid reality, but it has been

reported that they can now be found in several government buildings

throughout the capital.

" Yes, it's still there, it's not a problem that you can get rid of

all that quickly and they are trying to keep it under control, but

the thing is, once those molds get into a building, it's almost

impossible to ever get them out permanently, " the source claimed.

" But it's not only there [at the MOE], it's in several government

buildings, I don't really know why but it's becoming a problem and

attempts are being made to rectify this. "

Up to press time on Monday, The Guardian made attempts to contact

Minister of Education Science and Technology Alfred Sears and

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Creswell Sturrup

for comment, but our attempts proved fruitless.

Last year, Environmental Health officials were baffled when the mold

issue reached a peak, causing education officials and employees to

vacate the building due to sickness experienced as a result of

intense spraying for the molds.

It was then alleged that a private company, which had the building

sprayed did so too early in the morning and when staff came to work,

the fumes were unbearable for many.

In early 2006 five janitors at the Ministry of Education had to be

treated in hospital after becoming sick, reportedly due to the mold

and mildew problem in the building.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Alfred Sears said the

ministry had been faced with the mold problem ever since it occupied

the $30 million building.

In a letter dated December 15, 2003, The Bahamas Public Service

Union Secretary General, J - an agriculturist by

profession - suggested the mold was Liposcelis divinatorius, more

commonly known as barklice or booklice. Scientists have said that

humans can contract upper respiratory maladies, as well as esophagus

maladies, after direct contact with this mold.

Last year it was also revealed that a number of different molds were

found in the building on Boulevard, by a team of

environmental inspectors.

Alfredo Brizuela of The US Allied Indoor Environmental Company said

at that time, " We have a variety of molds in the building. " He added

that while the aspergillus/penicillin mold, a combination of two

types, was the more prevalent one, there are two other types of

fungi which were discovered behind the walls and in the ceilings of

the building.

Sources stated that the government is currently taking steps to have

local health professionals equipped to handle the matter.