I just saw a piece on the news about a moldy Law Enforcement Center in Augusta, Georgia, and didn’t quite agree with some statements made by doctors regarding the situation.
Six years ago, a study showed 17 different types of mold growing inside the LEC. I don’t think that is too abnormal since there are tens of thousands of types of mold. But the study did find Aspergillus and Stachybotrys – known to be pathogenic and toxic types of mold. Employees are not sick, but they are concerned about this mold. The city is planning on moving the hundreds of employees that work at the LEC, but it will take at least a year.
The video showed damp spots on the ceiling, water leaks, and visible mold. I’m surprised no one is sick yet.
While infectious disease specialist, Dr. Jack Austin, says that the mold in the LEC could make some people sick he also states that “If they aren’t already having problems, then they aren’t going to have problems.”
He’s pointing out that only certain may have a weak immune system, either genetically or as a result of health issues, that make them susceptible to mold. And if such an employee was working at the LEC, then they would already be sick in the six years since the study.
This needs some clarification as Dr. Austin forgets a few caveats to his claim.
Since the LEC employs hundreds of people, there will obviously be some turnover at some point. Isn’t it highly possible that someone with a suppressed immune system or a mold allergy could start working in the building?
Cancer treatments, organ transplants, and other medical procedures suppress the immune system. Surely with so many people working at the LEC, sooner or later someone will have a health issue that requires their immune system to be suppressed.
The elderly also have weak immune systems and are susceptible to mold infections. We know that the workers at the LEC are at least six years older since the mold was discovered. While the mold may not affect them now, it’s only a matter of time before it does.
Additionally, I haven’t found any information about the source of the water intrusion. If this problem is not found and corrected, the mold problem will only worsen. Even employees not affected by the current mold levels in the building will eventually succumb to sickness if the mold problem gets worse.
I point these things out because every employer and employee needs to keep these things in mind when considering mold in their building. Remember, just because no one is obviously sick doesn’t mean the mold isn’t a problem.
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