Communication issues at root of mold problem

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Communication issues at root of mold problem

Daily Cardinal - Madison,WI*

By: Abby Sears

http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/679

Ingraham Hall employees met with university health officials about

the building's mold Wednesday, claiming the problem has become so

bad because of a lack of communication. Health officials said the

problem should be brought under control shortly.

University health officials told Ingraham Hall employees Wednesday

that the mold spores present in the building since mid-September

will be controlled shortly and communication issues are actively

being resolved.

Natalia Aiello, Ingraham Hall facility manager, said the issue has

been prolonged by communication problems within the building.

" This meeting was to address the overall situation to come up with a

better plan for communication, " she said.

According to Aiello, Ingraham Hall plans to create an online

building update that occupants can use to find information and ask

questions about the mold situation. She said the website will be

online by next week.

About 10 people with offices on the third floor have voluntarily

relocated to different buildings as a result of the mold. Several

other occupants from different floors, particularly the basement,

have also complained about the presence of mold in their workspace,

according to Aiello.

" Nobody's been evacuated from their offices, " she said. " People have

left because they've been uncomfortable for a variety of reasons. "

According to Channel3000, UW-Madison employee Wiyaka said at

the meeting, " Each time we spent any significant time in our

offices, our throats and our eyes would start to burn, " which made

the employees leave. Over the past few weeks, air quality tests have

been administered in offices by request, as well as in random spots

throughout Ingraham Hall.

" The latest testing was very good; we've had almost all of the

testing show that the mold levels inside were less than the mold

levels outside, " said Burdick of the UW Environment, Health

and Safety Department. " That's what we strive to do. "

" We did find a couple places that the levels are still a little high

[and] people are still having some symptoms, " said Burdick, adding

that the investigation is ongoing.

Members of the Ingraham Hall staff plan to immediately expand their

inspection by going to each office and addressing occupants'

concerns, according to Aiello.

" We're hoping we get that taken care of in the very near future,

which would be as quick as this weekend, " Burdick said, but he noted

that mold exists at some levels in all university buildings.