ODH: Fungus not good, but also not a problem

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ODH: Fungus not good, but also not a problem

Promises more thorough probe if complaints mount

By JOHN JARVIS • The n Star • February 13, 2010

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http://www.marionstar.com/article/20100213/NEWS01/2130313/-1/newsfront2/ODH-Fung\

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COLUMBUS - An odor from a n steel tube manufacturing plant is " not good "

for those exposed to it, but is not expected to be a lingering problem, a state

health official said.

A fungus, identified as fusarium solani, in coolant sprayed on welding lines at

ArcelorMittal in the Dual Rail Industrial Park is the source of the moldy smell

first reported to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency last November, the

agency reported. The company has used fungicide to try to eliminate the fungus,

but complaints about the odor have continued.

Mandy Burkett, chief of the indoor environment section at the Ohio Department of

Health, said if ArcelorMittal cleans up the mold any health symptoms attributed

to it " should subside. " If the company doesn't get rid of the fungus and

complaints grow, the state will " investigate it more thoroughly. "

Evaluating the health risk posed by the fungus and odor is difficult, Burkett

said. She knew of no complaints to the state health department from the general

public or employees.

" Here at ODH when we talk about exposure to fungal contaminants our message is

pretty consistent, we say it's not good for people to be exposed to mold or

fungus. " She said the substance can cause health problems that are " usually

respiratory in nature. " Those can be more severe for people with compromised

immune systems.

Microbial organic compounds, such as those found in fungus and mold, probably

are causing the odor. Common reactions to the odor include burning, itching,

watering eyes, coughing, wheezing, runny nose and sinus irritation.

" Unfortunately, they're also symptoms associated with many of the illnesses this

time of year, " Burkett said.

Burkett said it is difficult to make general statements about the risk posed by

exposure to fungus and mold. " There are no fungal exposure limits for the

environment either indoors or outdoors, because people's response to exposure is

so variable. It really depends on an individual's susceptibility to mold, the

duration of the exposure, how much they're exposed to. "

She said workers at ArcelorMittal are more likely to have symptoms than the

general public.

" I would be surprised if you didn't find a greater reporting of health effects

from workers than people in the community just because the duration and amount

of the exposure is going to be greater, " she said. " On the other hand, workers

in plants like that tend to be among the healthier people in our population ...

so we take that into account. "

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency alerted the Occupational Safety and

Health Administration about the fungus. The n Star is waiting for a

response to its Freedom of Information Act request for the OSHA records related

to any investigation at ArcelorMittal.

Asked what specific measures ArcelorMittal is taking to eliminate the fungus,

company spokesman Adam Warrington responded with an e-mail nearly identical to

one he sent in late January: " ArcelorMittal is committed to expediting a

solution to the odor issue at our n facility. We appreciate the assistance

of the Ohio EPA throughout the process to date. "

A general statement about the extent of risk the odor might pose for the public

is difficult, Burkett said.

" The reason we can't say that is because the threshold levels don't exist, " she

said. " ... the science isn't there.

" We're not saying it's not a problem, " she said. " It could be a problem, but we

don't believe for the general population this is going to be a chronic health

problem. "

Reporter Jarvis: 740-375-5154 or jjarvis@...

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