Mold problem expensive to fix

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Mold problem expensive to fix

The Examiner

By Rhiannon Ross |

rhiannon.ross@...

http://examiner.net/stories/041808/new_269875323.shtml

Four types of mold have been found in the Palmer Building and could

be the cause of what has been making nearly 20 school district

employees sick.

" (The mold) has been growing over a period of time, " Superintendent

Jim Hinson said in a news conference Thursday. " It's a slow-growing

process. "

The building, home to the Independence School District central

office until one month ago, has been suspected of making nearly one-

third of its employees sick from a condition known as " sick building

syndrome. "

Hinson said environmental inspectors paid for by the district's

insurance company discovered mold in the building's HVAC system on

the district's side of the building and that humidity is what has

caused it to grow. The city of Independence uses another portion of

the building as a senior activities center, but it has a separate

ventilation system and no illness has been reported there.

It remains unconfirmed if this common fungus is the reason staff,

including Hinson, have experienced similar respiratory and

neurological symptoms. But Hinson said the location of the mold and

symptoms of patients directly correlate to the top two floors of the

Palmer building. The building has a basement, a ground floor and two

upper floors. The lower floors have been unaffected by the mold.

Symptoms reported by employees include respiratory difficulties,

excessive drainage, headaches, dizziness, bleeding sinuses and later

muscle aches and pain, including tingling and numbness in hands,

arms and feet, as well as extreme fatigue. Some employees were

hospitalized because of these symptoms, including Hinson last

summer.

As a precautionary measure, the district temporarily moved its

offices in late March to the former Lincoln-Mercury dealership at

3151 S. Noland Road, just north of Truman High School. Insurance is

paying for the cost of the month-to-month lease there.

" I am happy to say that employees with symptoms are reporting an

improvement of conditions, " Hinson said. This includes himself.

District spokesperson Streich said employees suffering

from symptoms are relieved to learn that mold exposure could be the

cause of their symptoms.

" It validates that there is something that was causing their

symptoms and whatever the treatment is, they can work toward feeling

better, " she said.

Hinson said workman's comprehensive insurance has offered to send

affected employees to group doctors who specialize in this field of

medicine.

He confirmed that some individuals can be more sensitive to mold

exposure than others, based upon such factors as genetic

predisposition, allergies, asthma or previous exposure to mold. But

the long-term health effects of mold exposure are unknown.

Environmental inspectors will continue to test the building to rule

out other possible contaminants, as well as test each office to

determine the types and levels of mold that exists.

" (The mold) varies from office to office, " Hinson said. " The highest

level was in my office. "

Testing, however, could take weeks and even months.

Last fall, Children's Mercy Hospital tested the building for

contaminants but found nothing. The Missouri State Health Department

conducted a recent environmental evaluation, but have yet to release

its findings, promised weeks ago.

" They haven't been of any assistance in this process, " Hinson said,

with obvious irritation, regarding the state health department.

Hinson said the hope is that the district will relocate to the

Palmer Building but rehabilitation of the building will be " an

expensive endeavor. " And he does not know if insurance will foot

this bill.

" It's far too early to tell the future of the Palmer building, " he

said.