Sick Building Makes Firefighters Sick Save Email Print

[Guest guest]

" Sick " Building Makes Firefighters Sick Save Email Print

Posted: 6:04 PM Dec 10, 2008

Last Updated: 6:04 PM Dec 10, 2008

Reporter: Lanetra

Email Address: lanetra.bennett@...

WCTV - Tallahassee,FL,USA

0 comments

http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/35926639.html

local fire station is shut down after firefighters were constantly

getting sick.

Turns out it was the building that's sick. Investigators discovered

the facility has Sick Building Syndrome.

Suwannee County firefighter Jon Cummings worked at Fire Station 3 in

Branford for two years.

He says he kept coming down with colds and coughs over that period

of time.

Cummings said, " I just assumed it was my daughter bringing home

something from school. I never really gave it much thought. "

Several other complaints from firefighters finally prompted testing,

which concluded that the station had Sick Building Syndrome (SBS.)

SBS is a combination of ailments associated with an office building

or home.

Charlie Conner, Suwannee County Public Safety Director,

said " Landwise in Lake City, they did the testing and they found both

white mold and Penicillin mold in the building. They advised me that

we should vacate the premises immediately. "

Mold can grow almost anywhere there's enough moisture or high

humidity.

The effects of too much of it, which are also symptoms of SBS,

include: nasal irritation, dry cough, skin rashes, shortness of

breath, infections, memory problems, mood swings, and body

aches;among others which Suwannee County firefighters experienced.

" Bloody noses, bleeding, coughing up blood; just general wise flu-

like symptoms. " Said Conner.

Sallie Ford, the Environmental Health Director at Suwannee County

Health Department, said, " Elderly people, babies, children, and

people with respiratory problems are at higher risk. "

Branford firefighters have moved to a rental property until

officials determine if the fire station needs to be cleaned or

demolished.

The matter is scheduled to be discussed at next Tuesday's Suwannee

County Commission meeting.

If you believe you're affected by Sick Building Syndrome, call your

physician