Leak at county social services building still causing problems

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Leak at county social services building still causing problems

Bender, Of the Times Staff

The Delaware County Times - Chester,PA

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=17679757 & BRD=1675 & PAG=461 & dept_id=18171 & rfi=6

UPPER DARBY -- Working conditions have improved at the Delaware

County Human Services building on 69th Street, according to county

officials, but some employees say they are still experiencing what

they believe to be mold-induced symptoms.

The third and fourth floors of the building sustained major damage

around Thanksgiving when a contractor failed to secure the roof

prior to a rainstorm. That incident followed a previous fire

sprinkler leak that had already caused a mold buildup in a

conference room.

Some employees of the Office of Mental Retardation think the county

has failed to fully address the problem.

" As long as we're getting headaches and burning throats and eyes, we

know that there is something wrong, " said one worker, who is among

three who spoke on the condition of anonymity so as not to lose

their jobs or hurt relations with the county.

McBlain, the county solicitor, said the water damage caused by

the Thanksgiving rain has been cleaned up and mold testing before

and after the storm has shown " there is not a health threat " in the

building.

An Oct. 23 assessment, however, showed " massive spore levels " in a

conference room on the fourth floor.

The report, conducted by Connell/Greene Consulting, said there was

an " elevated level " of Penecillium and " low levels " of Ulocldium

botrytis spores and forms of Aspergillus, compared to outdoor

samples.

" In summary, based on the evaluation performed, conditions present

in the fourth floor conference room do not support continued

occupancy of this space, " the report states.

The spore types found are common in carpet, fiberglass insulation

and water-damaged building materials, according to the report, which

was delivered to Leonard Maloney, the county's risk management and

personnel director.

County Executive Director nne Grace said the carpet in the

conference room has been removed and the walls where spores were

found are being replaced.

" We have done several air quality tests and what we're seeing is

there is no threat, " Grace said. " We wouldn't have anybody working

there if we didn't believe that. "

Some employees, however, have filed injured-on-the-job forms, made

doctor visits and are working from home when they are not in the

field, according to one worker, who said those with allergies appear

to be most affected.

" This whole place needs to be shut down and checked out and

remedially cleaned, " the employee said. " Maybe things are getting

better, maybe I'm just getting better by not being here, I don't

know. "

Employees have complained of irritated eyes and throats, headaches

and nausea. Some have been told by a doctor to avoid the building,

two workers said.

But a third employee said conditions have " dramatically improved "

and the building has been cleaned up, at least visually. " They've

been more responsive, but we've had additional leaks since then, "

including one after Christmas, the employee said.

The building is owned by New York-based Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp.,

which bought the 69th Street shopping district from Willner Realty

and Development Co. in 2005.

Ashkenazy's property manager for the site did not return a phone

call. McBlain say the company has been " extremely cooperative " in

resolving the building's problems.