Mold means it’s curtains for House upholstery shop, for now

[Guest guest]

Now let me get this straight. Mold is a problem for these upholstery shop

workers, whose shop is linked to the Congressional Rayburn Building in DC to

the point that the shop is closed. But, the air traffic controllers at

Detroit's Metro tower, who have been complaining of ill health from mold in the

tower for three years, (13 or so are sick - they are noted for making excessive

mistakes - and two have been fired for not being able to work in the tower)

AND NIOSH has recently come out with a report implying that the biggest

health threat in New Orleans is excessive noise. But mold is only recognized

as a

problem for those whose workspace is linked to the Rayburn Building?

_http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2005-0369-3034.pdf_

(http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2005-0369-3034.pdf)

US Department of Health & Human Services (US DHHS)

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)

Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2005-0369-3034

Hurricane Katrina Response, May 2007

" Except for a limited number of noise exposure samples above the NIOSH

recommended exposure limit and carbon monoxide levels above the NIOSH ceiling

limit, environmental sampling for a variety of substances including asbestos,

metals and dust did not reveal levels above recognized occupational exposure

limits. "

Mold means it’s curtains for House upholstery shop, for now

By Karissa Marcum September 06, 2007 The House upholstery shop has been

closed after a neglected water leak spawned growth of toxic black mold,

raising health concerns and prompting stern criticisms.

“I will not compromise when it comes to the safety of my workforce,†Chief

Administrative Officer (CAO) Beard said in explaining his decision to

close the shop.

Beard said employee requests made to the Architect of the Capitol’s (AoC)

office 18 months ago were ignored, endangering the health of eight employees

who work in the space, which is annexed to the subbasement of the Rayburn House

Office Building.

Beard sent a letter to acting Architect of the Capitol Ayers

advising the office of the closure and criticizing its slow response.

“I frankly don’t think it’s been [the architect’s] finest hour in

addressing this kind of issue,†Beard said.

The acting manager of textiles, Carol Swan, agreed. “It was time for Dan to

stop in because we weren’t getting through to the AoC,†she said.

AoC spokeswoman Eva Malecki declined to comment on why her office failed to

fix the leak, but emphasized cooperation.

“The AoC is actively addressing the recent discovery of mold and working

with the CAO’s office to ensure a safe working environment is maintained for

all

employees,†Malecki said.

According to House safety officers, the mold is localized to the shop’s wet

flooring and walls, but the air has yet to be tested for mold spores. The

results of those tests are expected to be completed next week.

On Aug. 29, several mold samples were sent to an independent lab for

testing, where scientists discovered two types of mold spores. One sample

contained

10 times the allowable level of two types of airborne fungi known as

Penicillium and Aspergillus, commonly referred to as “black mold.†Both

contaminants

can produce allergic reactions in some people who endure prolonged exposure.

Employees of the shop, which maintains and repairs all upholstered House

furnishings, said they have been getting headaches. The temporary closure will

force employees to work across the hall and in other buildings.

Malecki said repairs to the waterproofing system on the roofs of the House

underground parking garages caused the leaks.

She said such efforts are “nearing completion.â€

CAO safety coordinator Mike Garrott said a combination of continuous

moisture, a reliable food source and the time the

mold has been allowed to grow have created “the perfect storm.â€

Beard also announced his office is “seeking guidance†from the Office of

Compliance, which enforces safety standards for legislative branch

organizations.

A recent discovery of asbestos underneath the Capitol influenced Beard’s

decision to close the shop.

“From my perspective, this is just the latest in a series of problems that

have cropped up in the management of House facilities,†he said.

Beard said he was hopeful for a quick resolution: “I want it done and I want

it done now — the safety of my employees is at risk.â€

Swan said she cannot help but think about the possible health problems the

shop’s employees have been exposed to. “I worry for my guys. I have a guy

that sits there in the middle of everything. We’ll just have to wait until

the

testing comes back,†she said.

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