Mold plagues Duplin office

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Mold plagues Duplin office

Workers may be moved out of courthouse annex

Wilmington Morning Star - Wilmington,NC

By Ken Little

Staff Writer

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http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20060719/NEWS/607190456/-1/State

Kenansville | There's something in the air in the Duplin County

District Attorney's Office.

There's also a splotchy red rash covering part of Leigh Bair's left

arm. Bair, a victim witness legal assistant who works in the office,

also suffers from headaches, sore throats and joint pain.

She's not alone. Other workers say they are consistently ill because

of a mold infestation in the second-floor annex office in

Kenansville, about 60 miles north of Wilmington. District Attorney

G. Dewey Hudson said Tuesday he might move everyone out of the

Duplin County location to Onslow and Sampson counties until the

county removes the mold for good.

" I'm not an expert. I just know the problem has to be fixed, " Hudson

said. " I don't think it's an idle threat. I'd much rather be outside

the courthouse if my employees are sick. "

At least 15 full- and part-time employees of the District Attorney's

Office have become ill while working in the office, Hudson said.

" Shouldn't they at least have a safe, healthy work environment?

Isn't that the least the county can provide? " Hudson said. " It's

intolerable and unacceptable. "

The N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts pays for staffing and

supplies in every district attorney's office. Counties are obligated

to provide courthouse space. The annex housing Hudson's office in

Kenansville was opened in 1979.

A visit last week by an AOC representative was followed up the next

day with an inspection by a technician from the state Department of

Health and Human Services. AOC safety and health consultant Ford

Heath said he found mold on and under vinyl wallpaper throughout the

office.

" There was significant mold growth, and I was very concerned, " Heath

said. " There was a concern we were putting our folks at risk. "

County officials await a report from the state health inspector that

will contain recommendations about rectifying the ongoing mold

situation. Despite a tight budget, interim Duplin County Manager

Mike Aldridge said Tuesday the county will respond.

" We're going to be compelled to take whatever action is deemed

appropriate to solve this problem, just because of the nature of the

complaint, " Aldridge said.

Aldridge acknowledged the mold problem is not a new one. Duplin

County recently spent $1.5 million to take care of a similar mold

infestation in a courtroom and other areas of the original

courthouse connected to the annex.

There is no definitive evidence that the mold is causing medical

problems. But office worker Bair said all anyone has to do is look

at the litany of medical conditions she and her co-workers have

experienced.

" Almost every day I have a headache when I leave here, " she said.

Hudson is impatient with the county's efforts. Installing a

dehumidifier to lower high humidity levels has made working in the

office more tolerable but hasn't solved the mold problem, he said.

" Even if they act today, my people are here and they're not

healthy, " Hudson said.

Assistant District Attorney Marcia G. Bremer sat in her office

Tuesday and watched a co-worker peel back wallpaper to reveal an

ugly pattern of black mold spots.

" I try not to think about it. I try to get my work done. I try not

to think about the long-term implications because who knows what the

heck they are, " she said.

Ken Little: 343-2389

ken.little@...