KCI traffic controllers criticize FAA mold removal

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KCI traffic controllers criticize FAA mold removal

By MIKE RICE

The Kansas City Star,MO*

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/333633.html

For the second time in four years, the Federal Aviation

Administration is attempting to remove mold from inside the control

tower at Kansas City International Airport.

The latest efforts began earlier this month and should be completed

by Wednesday, said FAA spokeswoman Cory. The control

tower's elevator shaft, elevator lobbies and stairwells are the only

areas of the facility that still need to be cleaned, she said.

But the recurrence of mold problems concerns the air traffic

controllers who work there, said , the local

representative for the union that represents the controllers. The

National Air Traffic Controllers Association has been at odds with

FAA management over various issues, particularly labor negotiations

that have been at an impasse since last year.

questioned the FAA's ability to remove the mold and noted

that similar mold problems have occurred at control towers elsewhere.

Over the past several years, said, numerous controllers

have suffered unexplained illnesses.

" When you find out you have been working in a mold-infested building

for the past four to five years, it makes you start to wonder how

many of these illnesses were caused by mold, " he said.

and other controllers association officials contend that

the FAA's cleanup at the KCI control tower is not following industry

standards, but Cory disagreed.

and the others cited examples, among them that building

materials in two rooms are being removed without proper

decontamination procedures; dusty environmental conditions inside

containment areas; porous building materials being wiped down with

detergent rather than being removed; and the contractor choosing the

detergents.

said the union, which wants to bring in its own

environmental experts, has not been invited to meetings about the

mold removal.

Cory said all the work is following guidelines established by the

New York City Department of Health, which is regarded as the

industry standard.

Also, an independent certified industrial hygienist is overseeing

the contractor's work, she said.

Cory added that the FAA revised its remediation plan for the control

tower in March after the controllers association made several

recommendations.

So far, the current mold-removal job has cost about $180,000, Cory

said. The last attempt to remove mold at the tower, which finished

in 2004, cost $86,225.

After the work is completed, Cory said, the FAA will periodically

inspect the control tower and look for any signs of mold or moisture.

" Our goal, " she said, " is to stay on top of this. "

To reach Mike Rice, call 816-234-5903 or send e-mail to

mrice@....