Mold takes over FC jail

[Guest guest]

Mold takes over FC jail

05/08/08

The South Missourian News - Salem,AR*

Jody Shackelford Staff Writer

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?

show=localnews & pnpID=883 & NewsID=900894 & CategoryID=10537 & on=1

The entire population of Fulton County Jail inmates has been

relocated after mold was discovered within the Fulton County

Sheriff's Department in a March 31 report from the Arkansas

Department of Labor. According to authorities, the mold is capable

of producing extremely toxic mycotoxins that can cause symptoms such

as skin lesions and pulmonary emphysema.

" The jail administrator Joann Cunningham and Walter (Sheriff

Dillinger) decided that due to the fact that we have a mold problem

in the upstairs part, we would move the prisoners, " Salem Police

Chief Al Roork said. " The mold is upstairs primarily in Walter's

office, like in the evidence room. "

Cunningham said although the mold was upstairs in the sheriff's

department in relationship to the jail, her top priority was the

health and welfare of the prisoners and she took the appropriate

preventive action. Although the prisoners are safe from the

biological invader, Fulton County employees continue to work.

" We don't have a choice; we have to be here, but we thought we could

at least move the prisoners until we get this fixed, " Roork said.

The sheriff's department includes dispatchers, administrators,

investigators and deputies, who all work in coordination to ensure

the people of the city of Salem and Fulton County have protection,

are under constant exposure until the mold is removed.

" I don't know what we can do about it. You have to work; we have to

be here for the public. So, I don't know what we are going to do, "

Cunningham said.

" We are here to protect and serve, " said Fulton County Investigator

Terry .

said he and the sheriff are working to find specialists with

the proper credentials to neutralize the threat.

According to documents from the Wisconsin Occupational Health

Laboratory who analyzed the mold samples, there are three species of

mold abundant in the bulk samples taken.

Stachybotrys chartarum is the most prolific species of mold

spotlighted in the report, described as black and slimy in

appearance. " Exposure to these mycotoxins can result through

inhalation, ingestion and dermal exposure, " the Toxic Mold

Information Center said. " Symptoms of exposure include dermatitis,

cough, rhinitis, nose bleeds, cold and flu-like symptoms, headache,

malaise and fever. "

" Mold is found everywhere, " Mike , Arkansas Occupational

Safety and Health supervisor with the Arkansas Department of Labor

said. " All molds produce mycotoxins during its lifespan and anytime

there is an excess of mycotoxins found in the workplace, because of

Arkansas law; you have to provide a safe and healthy work place.

Anytime there is a hazard, if you can't eliminate the hazard you

must protect the employee from the hazard. You have to take those

measures, " said.

Roork and the sheriff's department is working to expedite the

process of cleaning up but funding must come from the county.

" They are going to have to pull the paneling off the walls. We are

going to have to do full mold abatement and replace the paneling and

the carpet in Walter's office. Then hopefully everything will be

much better, " Roork said.

According to Fulton County Judge Willett, the county is

currently waiting for insurance money to be appropriated toward the

sheriff's department for the abatement.