Mold Being Blamed for Illness at APD Headquarters

April 14, 2007

My Fox Colorado.com - Denver,CO,

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New test results show elevated levels of mold in a variety of areas

in the Aurora Police Department's headquarters. A group of officers

tells Fox 31 it's causing serious health problems for numerous

people who work there.

Mold is caused by water leaks. It can cause headaches, allergies,

rashes, sinus and respiratory problems.

The group of officers, including Command Staff, detectives and

others, say more than a third of the people who have worked in the

areas are suffering from similar symptoms, they blame on exposure to

mold.

The officers say it's been an on-going problem for years, and want

the City to fix it, and also take care of their health expenses.

Don Roche, a City of Aurora Environmental Specialist, says tests

back in March of 2005 found high levels of hazardous mold. Further

tests in November of 2006 and in April of 2007 showed elevated

levels of mold.

The most recent tests found elevated mold levels in ceiling tiles

above the Property Room on the first floor, in a crawl space, under

the sink in the third floor CSI Lab, above the ceiling in the third

floor Victim Services area, on a first floor Supervisor's office and

in a Janitor's closet. Roche says the leaks are isolated incidents,

and do not appear to be the result of a major structural problem. He

also says while the mold levels are elevated, he does not believe

they are high enough to be making people sick.

However, the officers say there are simply too many people suffering

the same symptoms and they believe the mold is an on-going health

hazard.

Two officers have filed Workman's Compensation claims. Their lawyer

says the City is " taking an adversarial approach " toward the claims.

Sources tell Fox 31 that many other officers would like to file

similar claims, but are afraid of retribution from the City.

A spokesman for Aurora's Human Services Department says no one

should be afraid to come forward.

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