Pender County - Same mold story? Pender looks into health worries

[Guest guest]

(As if the mold weren't enough, these folks have perfumes and air fresheners

to contend with. Within 3 years, I'll be willing to bet that the employees

who aren't dead will wish they were - they'll have fibro, MCS, lupus,

heart/lung disease, asthma and be totally disabled.)

Barbara

http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/news/stories/9615newsstorypage.html

Same mold story? Pender looks into health worries

By Sam

Staff Writer

March 6, 2002

BURGAW | State health inspectors took samples from three Pender County

buildings Monday, following up on several complaints of respiratory problems

from people who work in the buildings.

Two employees in the Holly Administration building and the

Agriculture buildings have missed significant time from work due to ailments

they suspect are caused by the air, said Jack Griffith, Pender County's

health director.

In the Department of Services building, problems stem from complaints of a

foul odor following a sewage back-up two weeks ago, which spilled fecal

matter into the halls, Dr. Griffith said.

The state officials spent most of the day in Burgaw before returning to

Raleigh. They expect to have a report early next week, said Ron Howell, one

of the inspectors.

Mr. Howell said they found a small amount of mold in the Agriculture

building on a ceiling tile.

Dr. Griffith had earlier made a precursory search of the buildings. He said

he believed the solution in the Holly and Agriculture would be a matter of

improving housekeeping.

" I suspect more than anything else, they're having an allergic reaction to

dust, " he said.

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

New Hanover County Judicial Building.

In the Holly Building, dust bunnies could be seen on the floor in the

office of one of the women who said she had terrible problems from the air.

Joyce Swicegood, the register of deeds, said she suffered allergic reactions

since she moved into the Holly building in November 1997.

Ms. Swicegood said her problems did not cause her to miss work and have

improved lately.

Allergens, which cause most people no trouble, can antagonize a small

minority, said Romie Herring, one of the inspectors

Mr. Howell said there did not appear to be any health risks associated with

the sewage odor in social services.

" Nothing jumped out there, " he said.

Dr. Griffith said cleaning with Clorox after the sewage spill eliminated any

danger.

The odor, combined with a long-running problem with backing-up toilets, was

having an affect on department morale, said Reta Shiver, of the county's

department of social services.

Tuesday afternoon, any odor was masked by a hodge-podge of perfumes and

sprays, which Ms. Shiver said were sprayed by department employees.

Sam : 343-2370

sam.scott@...