Court workers not satisfied

January 28, 2006

BY LYNNE SLACK SHEDLOCK STAFF WRITER

01/28/2006

newsid=16020448 & BRD=2185 & PAG=461 & dept_id=416046 & rfi=6

Scranton,PA

The union representative for Lackawanna County Courthouse employees

is calling for independent tests of fungus in the building.

Alicon Environmental, which conducted a $1.8 million cleanup of the

building, commissioned one set of tests. Jack Yanchulis of

Pennsylvania Social Services Union 668 said employees wonder about

the results of those tests done by Cocciardi and Associates because

the environmental health consultant was paid by Alicon.

" It's our hope an outside firm would be brought in with no

connection, " Mr. Yanchulis said. " I think that will alleviate

concerns. "

Cocciardi found contaminants on the courthouse's third floor after

Alicon finished a cleanup of 20 tons of pigeon dung and other waste

on the floors above including histoplasma, a fungi associated with

lung disease; cryptococcus, a fungal infectious agent; and chlamydia

psttaci, a bacterium, according to the Cocciardi report.

Some third-floor employees have reported flu-like symptoms

associated with histoplasmosis.

Lackawanna County majority Commissioner C. Cordaro said there

are no plans to bring in another consultant to test.

" We're fully confident in Coccardi, " he said. He said the consultant

is independent, has a national reputation and has " unquestionable

expertise. "

Lackawanna County minority Commissioner Mike Washo, however, agreed

it's a good idea to bring in an independent tester. He suggested the

federal Centers for Disease Control.

" Let's find out from a source that doesn't have an oar in the

water, " Mr. Washo said.

Contact the writer: lshedlock@...

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