Can trigger fatal allergic reactions; cleanup in the works

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Published: December 17, 2008 04:09 pm

BLACK MOLD SHOWN TO BE CULPRIT AT STATION 3

Branford News - FL, United States

Can trigger fatal allergic reactions; cleanup in the works

http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/branford/local_story_352160943.html?

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By Jeff Waters, Democrat Reporter

The Suwannee County Commission on Tuesday authorized acting County

Coordinator to hire a firm to remove potentially

toxic mold from County Fire/Rescue Station 3 in Branford. In the

meantime, personnel were warned to stay clear of the premises until

the mold is removed.

" We need to go out for rfp's (request for proposals) to dig into

this problem and to see if we can find a cure, " told the

commission. " We'll go on the recommendations of these

professionalized people and hopefully it won't be as severe as you

think it is and if it is then we'll just have to deal with the

problem. "

Landwise Inspection Services in Lake City was called in recently to

see why firefighters were constantly getting sick.

" I had Landwise come in after several complaints by my personnel of

flu-like symptoms, their noses bleeding, not feeling very well, "

county Public Safety Director Charlie Conner said.

The inspection, performed on Nov. 25, showed " sufficient evidence of

active mold growth/sporulation and water intrusion. Air-sampling

showed black mold fungal spores (Stachybotrys), which has been shown

to cause severe allergic reactions and even death in many cases. "

As a result of the findings, the inspector, Rick Bringger,

recommended " immediate evacuation of the living area "

and " remediation of the property by a State of Florida licensed mold

remediation professional. "

Conner, with the help of commission chairman Caruthers and

District 5 Commissioner Wesley Wainwright, found suitable living

quarters for the crew, a five bedroom, three bath home owned by Mona

Hurst at 106 SW Drane St. in Branford. The crew will operate from

the home until the problem is fixed. Rent is $700 per month.

Black mold, or stachybotrys, is found in grains, decaying plant

materials, textiles and tobacco. It also grows indoors on water-

damaged cellulose-rich materials such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling

tiles, insulation backing, gypsum board and wallpaper. Exposure to

black mold toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion or skin

exposure. The Landwise report states that it is possible for this

type of mold to play a role in " sick building syndrome, " a condition

which leaves a building permanently uninhabitable, but more than

likely other factors are also at work in such cases.

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