Mold found in Willacy courthouse Texas Health Department recommends removal of f

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Mold found in Willacy courthouse

Texas Health Department recommends removal of fungus

By FERNANDO DEL VALLE/VALLEY MORNING STAR

2008-02-25

http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/report_20197___article.html/mol

d_problems.html

RAYMONDVILLE — Willacy County will take steps to rid the historic 86-

year-old courthouse of mold after state officials recommended

removal of the fungus that can cause health problems.

A Texas Health Department report to County Commissioner Emilio Vera

found mold and moisture damage in the three-story building after an

anonymous complaint led to an inspection late last year.

" We're working with someone to make an assessment and give the

assessment to our insurance company, " Vera said.

County officials didn't have an estimate on repair costs,

Commissioner Aurelio Guerra said.

The Texas Association of Counties recommended officials hire Houston

attorney to make the assessment, said Becky Chapa,

the county's administrative assistant.

According to the report, there was " visible mold growth " in a second-

floor restroom, and " visible moisture damage " in the district

courtroom, the district clerk's office, the district attorney's

office and the second-floor hallway.

" I'm concerned because it can affect people, " District Clerk Gilbert

Lozano said. " I've heard different people talking about it but I

haven't heard anybody saying they've been sick. "

In his first-story office, part of the ceiling " looks like it's

falling, " Lozano said.

" It's been like that for years, " Lozano said. " There's an area where

the ceiling is damaged. It looks like it's sagging and every now and

then we get some water drips. "

The inspection found high humidity levels that can trigger mold

growth, the report said.

The report recommended that " water damage and mold problems (be)

resolved as quickly as possible and that adequate preventive

maintenance practices be implemented to help prevent large-scale

problems from developing. "

" Emphasis should be on ensuring proper repairs of the building

infrastructure so that no water damage and moisture buildup occur, "

the report said.

The report recommended insulation of air-conditioning lines to

prevent condensation.

The report warned of health problems.

" Exposure to airborne mold spores can cause a variety of health

problems for some people, " the report said. " The common health

problems from indoor exposures are headaches, typical allergy-type

symptoms, including sneezing, itchy burning eyes, sore throat,

allergic rhinitis, asthma and occasionally a more serious condition

known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis. "