EU: Commission closes building as a precautionary measure following health conce

[Guest guest]

Wouldn't it be nice if they would act that fast here when a question

of health arises?

Fuente: © European Union

http://europa.eu.int

EU: Commission closes building as a precautionary measure following

health concerns

http://www.noticias.info/asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=165586 & src=0

/noticias.info/ The European Commission has taken the decision to

temporarily close Avenue de Cortenberg 100 after tests confirmed the

discovery of aspergillus moulds. After analysis presented by

external experts, Vice-President Kallas, after consulting with the

office of President Barroso, took the decision early on Friday

afternoon 7th April to evacuate the building. The 250 staff from DG

Internal Market left the building in good order by 15.00 hrs the

same afternoon.

" Based on the results of tests on the building, we have taken the

decision to close the building with immediate effect. We will soon

have further tests on air quality, but in the meantime, I am not

prepared to accept a possible risk to the health of our staff " said

Siim Kallas, Vice-President for Administrative Affairs, Audit and

Anti-Fraud.

Since the summer of 2005, the Commission has repeatedly asked the

owner to tackle structural problems with the building related to

water leaks. Following a number of concerns raised by staff about

the humidity in the building, additional tests were conducted in

February 2006. These tests have eventually led to the discovery of

aspergillus moulds in a number of the electrical installations in

the building. Based on medical advice and following the

precautionary principle, a decision has been taken to close the

building with immediate effect. The Commission has issued a " formal

notice " to the owner.

The World Health Organisation classifies the toxin Sterigmatocystine

found in the aspergillus moulds as " may be carcinogenic in some

circumstances " . Further tests are being undertaken to review the air

quality in the building. These will be made available to the

Commission around 18 April.

The staff concerned have been given a detailed up-date on the

situation at a briefing on Monday morning 10 April by the Director

General for Administration, Claude Chêne and the Director General

for the Internal Market, Schaub, assisted by medical

staff. The Commission will provide a medical check-up to all staff

seeking reassurance and recommends that staff suffering from allergy-

type symptoms should make an appointment with the medical service. A

health advice hotline and e-mail mailbox have been made available

for any staff with questions and concerns.

Staff will be regularly up-dated as further information and test

results become available. Temporary office space will be provided

for essential staff pending the organisation of a longer-term

solution following the Easter vacation.

[Guest guest]

-exactly KC, I was so aggervated from calling state agency's trying

to get help and information, all I got was the run around and a hudge

phone bill. I hope that we can get these people to start dealing with

this, my state is so far behind on this than others, and theres

really no excuse for

that.

-- In , " tigerpaw2c "

<tigerpaw2c@...> wrote:

>

> Wouldn't it be nice if they would act that fast here when a

question

> of health arises?

>

> Fuente: © European Union

> http://europa.eu.int

>

> EU: Commission closes building as a precautionary measure following

> health concerns

> http://www.noticias.info/asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=165586 & src=0

>

> /noticias.info/ The European Commission has taken the decision to

> temporarily close Avenue de Cortenberg 100 after tests confirmed

the

> discovery of aspergillus moulds. After analysis presented by

> external experts, Vice-President Kallas, after consulting with the

> office of President Barroso, took the decision early on Friday

> afternoon 7th April to evacuate the building. The 250 staff from DG

> Internal Market left the building in good order by 15.00 hrs the

> same afternoon.

>

> " Based on the results of tests on the building, we have taken the

> decision to close the building with immediate effect. We will soon

> have further tests on air quality, but in the meantime, I am not

> prepared to accept a possible risk to the health of our staff " said

> Siim Kallas, Vice-President for Administrative Affairs, Audit and

> Anti-Fraud.

>

> Since the summer of 2005, the Commission has repeatedly asked the

> owner to tackle structural problems with the building related to

> water leaks. Following a number of concerns raised by staff about

> the humidity in the building, additional tests were conducted in

> February 2006. These tests have eventually led to the discovery of

> aspergillus moulds in a number of the electrical installations in

> the building. Based on medical advice and following the

> precautionary principle, a decision has been taken to close the

> building with immediate effect. The Commission has issued a " formal

> notice " to the owner.

>

> The World Health Organisation classifies the toxin

Sterigmatocystine

> found in the aspergillus moulds as " may be carcinogenic in some

> circumstances " . Further tests are being undertaken to review the

air

> quality in the building. These will be made available to the

> Commission around 18 April.

>

> The staff concerned have been given a detailed up-date on the

> situation at a briefing on Monday morning 10 April by the Director

> General for Administration, Claude Chêne and the Director General

> for the Internal Market, Schaub, assisted by medical

> staff. The Commission will provide a medical check-up to all staff

> seeking reassurance and recommends that staff suffering from

allergy-

> type symptoms should make an appointment with the medical service.

A

> health advice hotline and e-mail mailbox have been made available

> for any staff with questions and concerns.

>

> Staff will be regularly up-dated as further information and test

> results become available. Temporary office space will be provided

> for essential staff pending the organisation of a longer-term

> solution following the Easter vacation.

>