Carbondale mold woes blamed on June flood

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Carbondale mold woes blamed on June flood

BY JODY ROSELLE

STAFF WRITER

Scranton Times-Tribune - Scranton,PA

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=18053882 & BRD=2185 & PAG=461 & dept_id=415898 & rfi=6

CARBONDALE — Mold has found its way into the basement of City Hall,

where it has been growing since flooding in June when the Lackawanna

River overflowed.

" When you come in the rear staircase from the back of the building,

you can see it from the top of the stairs, " Police Sgt. Joe Laguzzi,

Carbondale Police Union steward, said.

Sgt. Laguzzi said the mold growth was brought to his attention in

February by a visiting official for the city's Department of Public

Works union. Mayor was notified and advised police

personnel to stay out of the basement.

" We don't have the (cleanup) cost at this point, " Mr. said.

Occupational health and safety services firm Cocciardi & Associates,

of Moosic, has been hired to assess the problem at a cost of $1,350.

Oversight and remediation respectively could cost $500 and $700 each

day, Mr. said.

Mr. said he had not received a report from the company on

Wednesday. The city will put any mold abatement work out to bid

after the report has been reviewed, he said.

Meanwhile, he said flood damage funds from the Federal Emergency

Management Agency could be used to cover the expense. In a letter

sent to Sgt. Laguzzi dated Feb. 21, Mr. said the city has not

received FEMA funds for the cleanup costs from June flooding.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency, reports asthma,

allergic reactions and other respiratory complaints are some of the

health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure.

The city doesn't use the basement for personnel.

City Hall houses police headquarters, the code enforcement office,

council chambers, finance office, mayor's office, economic

development office, clerk's office, a Historical Society museum and

WCDL 1440-AM radio station.

When the temperature is warm, the odor flows directly into city

Police Chief Jeff 's office.

" It's like a musty odor, " Chief said.

Although two patrolmen are receiving allergy-related treatment, city

police hesitate to point to the mold as the cause.

" You hear people have symptoms, but I don't know if that's what's

causing it, " he said. " The only way you'll ever know is if they

clean it up and the symptoms go away. "

Contact the writer: jroselle@...