Courthouse mold woes growing (Columbia, SC)

August 7, 2002

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Courthouse mold woes growing

08/04/02

By Jerry Bellune

Six months after Lexington County cleaned up courthouse mold, 48 employees

say they have severe health problems.

" Several have cancer, others had to have hysterectomies, " said Lexington

attorney Breibart, who is representing them.

" Do you know what the odds are of that many people having those kinds of

problems? " he asked

" Thousands to one. "

The county closed the courthouse and the solicitor's office last December

and spent $400,000 to remove mold after judges and other employees

complained of allergic reactions.

County Administrator Art said the mold has been completely removed,

and ceiling tiles, wall board and carpeting replaced.

" The last time we tested the air quality, the levels were lower than the air

outside, " said.

Yet Cooley who works for the solicitor's office says mold made her

ill.

She complained to the Workers' Compensation Commission that she " was

continuously exposed to mold and toxic fumes " and suffers from fibromyalgia,

lung and sinus problems and breast cancer.

" This is the third time she has been forced to take time off, " Breibart

said. " She has used all her sick leave. "

He said his secretary had been told the county has terminated Cooley.

" That's not smart with a worker compensation claim pending, " he said.

Breibart said he began to hear complaints from county employees some months

ago and hired attorney Jon Popowski, who handles worker compensation cases,

to help him.

" In over 25 years of practicing law, I've never seen anything like that, "

Popowski said.

Popowski accused county officials of " intentionally exposing " employees to

hazards " of which they are well aware. "

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