Mayor addresses City Hall mold issue

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Mayor addresses City Hall mold issue

Tahlequah Daily Press - Tahlequah,OK*

By BOB GIBBINS

bgibbins@...

http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/local/local_story_267142422.html

The Tahlequah city administration wants employees and users of City

Hall to know their health and safety is a primary concern as the

city continues working toward remediation of several mold species in

the building, one of which is toxigenic.

Mayor Ken Purdy and Assistant City Administrator sent a

memo Friday afternoon to City Hall staff, department heads and city

officials to follow up on test results of mold contamination on the

east wall of the building. The Daily Press reported Thursday an

independent occupational safety and health consultant found a

portion of the wall to be moderately to extremely contaminated.

The memo states its purpose is to share the most current information

regarding the testing, findings and action taken by the city toward

development of remediation activities for the areas affected by the

mold at City Hall.

" Please know that these actions are being taken with foremost

concern for the health and safety of city employees and other users

of City Hall, " the memo states. " The city administration has sought

the advice and expertise of public health professionals to create

the most responsible approach possible to the problem. "

The memo also addresses possible health concerns and indicates

information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It states some

people, especially those with underlying respiratory or other health

problems, may be sensitive to toxigenic molds and subject to certain

health issues.

" Any employee or other persons with such concerns regarding mold

exposure is encouraged to consult their professional health

provider, " the memo states.

Purdy and state, in the memo, that some steps have already

been taken and others are being prepared to cause the full

implementation of the recommended remedial actions needed to correct

and prevent further mold problems in City Hall.

Sites are being taken to identify and correct sources of exterior

water exposure that have contributed to the mold problem. City

officials are also working to acquire site decontamination services

to remove the problem mold from affected areas of the building and

this will be done as quickly as possible.

The work is of extensive nature, and for that reason, it is

anticipated it will take several weeks to return the City Hall

office environment to normal. Purdy and are asking for

cooperation and patience as everyone strives to ensure the

uninterrupted conduct of city business operations.

The memo also indicates efforts will be made to keep employees

updated with new information as the problem is resolved. Employees

and others in the building are asked to continue to bring their

questions and concerns to the city administration.