Inspectors say Pender needs to clean up

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Inspectors say Pender needs to clean up

By Sam

Staff Writer

March 16, 2002

BURGAW | Pender County needs to do a little cleaning, state officials said

this week.

After allergy complaints from a few county employees, state inspectors

toured two Pender County buildings on March 5 looking for irritants in the

workplace.

On Thursday, the inspectors released a report saying that both buildings

need dusting and that one - the Agriculture Building - had limited mold that

should be removed.

Jack Griffith, the county's health director, said the results matched his

expectations.

" I don't see anything earth shattering there, " Dr. Griffith said, noting the

mold was mostly limited to a few ceiling tiles in a supply room that have

already been removed.

The Pender County complaints are similar to those made by employees at the

New Hanover County Judicial Building. Employees in both places have missed

work because of their allergies.

About 10 percent of people are allergic to mold, said Howell, one of

the inspectors, who were from the N.C. Department of Health and Human

Services.

" You need to get rid of it and clean it up, " he said.

Reducing moisture is the best way to prevent its growth, he said.

The county has fixed leaks in the Agriculture Building, which should help,

said County Manager Beach.

The county has also already cleaned the other site, the Holly

Administration building, which the report called " extremely dusty. "

On the day of inspection, " dust bunnies " could be seen near the office of

one of the women who said she had terrible problems caused by the air.

Next Friday, the air ducts of the Holly Building will also be cleaned, Mr.

Beach said.

The inspectors also checked the Department of Social Services where the

county has received complaints of odors related to backed-up toilets and a

sewage spill in a hallway and some offices.

The inspectors found no evidence of contamination, the report said.

Pender County Social Services Director Reta Shiver said an off-putting smell

persists, which employees mask with scents and sprays. She trusts the

finding that the smell is not dangerous, she said.

Mr. Beach said he contacted the state as soon as he learned of the employee

complaints.

Sam : 343-2370

sam.scott@...