Lawyer threatens suit over 'very sick' Broward County Courthouse

[Guest guest]

Lawyer threatens suit over 'very sick' Broward County Courthouse

By Wyman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 9, 2008

It's a green-blackish mold that thrives on moisture and can produce toxins.

A prominent lawyer claims it has infested the _Broward County_

(http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/) Courthouse so thoroughly

that the

building should be torn down.

Two longtime courthouse workers, judicial aides Patti Buchholtz and Sue

Rentel, say they have already been so sickened that they have trouble breathing

and get frequent colds. Their attorney, former state Sen. Skip , has

written county commissioners threatening to sue for negligence and violations

of state building standards.

said the mold problems are too extensive to remedy. He said he

would not only seek damages for his clients but a court order to force the

county

to meet its obligations of providing a safe courthouse. " That building is a

very sick building, and people who are going in there are getting sick, "

said.

In his letter to the commissioners, complains of " dangerous indoor

air quality " and " contamination " in the 50-year-old building.

said toxicology experts tested two floors of the courthouse for him

last month and discovered hazardous mold. said Buchholtz and Rentel

work in those areas and have been diagnosed with severe pulmonary problems.

County officials have six months to investigate 's allegation before

he is allowed to sue under state law. County Attorney Jeff Newton said the

county will conduct its own air tests as part of its examination.

According to county documents, officials have made 20 environmental surveys

since February when a backed-up sewer pipe caused major flooding and

temporarily shut down the courthouse. Those tests revealed no problems, but

consultants did recommend replacing carpeting and ceiling tiles, as well as

better

ventilation. Some of the work has been completed.

Mayor Lois Wexler said the county must take 's claims seriously and

ensure that courthouse conditions meet national health standards.

" I need a comfort level that we are doing our due diligence in the

preventive maintenance area and are addressing air quality issues, " Wexler

said.

brought in Lipsey, a ville toxicologist with more

than 30 years' experience representing major business, government and

individuals. said the form of mold that Lipsey found is known as

Stachybotrys

fungi.

According to the _Centers for Disease Control and Prevention_

(http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/health/diseases/centers-for-disease-control-p\

revention-ORG

OV000011.topic) , that is a less common form of mold that can produce

toxins. The CDC's Web site said exposure to it does not always cause health

problems, but can lead to severe reactions in some people, including fever and

shortness of breath.

Voters rejected a ballot initiative in 2006 to borrow $450 million to

improve Broward's court system.

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[Guest guest]

What law are they going to cite ? In California I was told that laws

against toxns

make a special exception for mold since it is 'naturally produced'.

The building and real estate industries insisted on it.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/11/2008 1:25:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, KatriSteve5

writes:

SO

1. What are " National Health Stadards " ? Are they strong enough? (

Habitability laws by state like in MA?)

2. I saw in print recentlt that Dr. Johanning mentioned new medical

information on

mold exposure was in injestion and neuologiacal? I will check was it in the

N Y Law re: New York Times?

What is it? Is it strong? You do not have to answer but I hope it is great>

Katrine

I am not aware of the new medical information but of course would love to

know what it is. This is good news.

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[Guest guest]

Is this the same courthouse where the judge died?