OSHA Investigating Chronic Illnesses, Mold At Drug Vault

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OSHA Investigating Chronic Illnesses, Mold At Drug Vault

Workers Experience Unexplained Symptoms

By Ben Jackey/WLKY

POSTED: 5:07 pm EDT October 21, 2009

UPDATED: 9:50 am EDT October 22, 2009

http://www.wlky.com/news/21364062/detail.html

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Two Louisville Metro Police Department employees who work

inside the vault used to store drugs seized on the street have developed chronic

illnesses.

The symptoms started out small but continued getting worse. Metro OSHA found

mold in the vault earlier this year, as did the state, but the story doesn't end

there.

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" Once you walk through that door, I can't describe to you what it's like because

it is a very secure facility, " said Fraternal Order of Police President

McGuire.

Only two workers and a supervisor have access to the seemingly endless supply of

marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs seized by police.

Earlier this year, those workers came down with a variety of ailments. Even some

visitors complained of unexplained symptoms.

" We've heard of people breaking out in rashes. We've heard of respiratory

problems with spontaneous nosebleeds, neurological issues, " said McGuire.

In March, Louisville Metro OSHA Administration investigated and found mold.

Airborne levels were lower than those outdoor, but mold was found on the surface

of boxes containing moist marijuana plants.

The inspector suggested a variety of solutions, including an updated ventilation

system.

" Based on that study, we asked facilities to look at some environmental

concerns. Based on the environmental concerns, we developed a plan to attempt to

remedy some of this, " said assistant chief Lt. Col. Vince Robison.

The health problems continued and in July, the state OSHA investigated, finding

LMPD, " did not ensure that conditions promoting the growth of mold were

corrected. "

As for LMPD's plan, only recently were respirators ordered for the two workers.

In just the last few weeks, a ventilation upgrade moved forward.

There is also dispute on when the workers' desks were moved outside the vault.

" It seems to me we could have done that earlier. Seems to be a common sense

solution to limit the exposure, " said Robison.

Regarding the dispute over when the two workers had their desks moved out of the

drug vault, LMPD Sgt. Biven said on March 24, there was a direct order to

the sergeant to have detectives vacate the office and reduce the time they were

exposed.

On Aug. 31, a high-priority message was sent to ensure they wear masks, provided

by LMPD. The message also instructed for the desks to be moved out of the drug

vault area.

It's unclear whether the desks were actually moved out in March.

Robison said LMPD and metro OSHA believe marijuana may not be the only culprit.

" What the unknown is any other items, pills, possibly some liquid, powder, drugs

-- could there have been something when those were manufactured that causes a

gassing off some type of vapor, " said Robison.

LMPD said it looked for an environmental specialist, but was told no one knows

what to test for. They haven't found any national vault protocol, but believe

this could lead to the first.

" Hopefully we can set an example or a standard on what needs to be met and what

will protect our members, but members across the United States, " said McGuire.

In the last few days, several physicians told WLKY the symptoms the workers

experienced could definitely be mold related.

Dr. Snyder, a microbiologist at the University of Louisville, concurred.

Snyder said LMPD and OSHA's concern about stored narcotics emitting some type of

potentially harmful toxin was highly unlikely.

Sources told WLKY both employees have asked to be transferred out of the drug

vault repeatedly.

Robison said he's only aware of such a request in recent weeks. He said the

department is working to make that happen.