Toxic Mold in Erie County Buildings?

[Guest guest]

Toxic Mold in Erie County Buildings?

http://www.wkbw.com/Story.aspx?type=ln & NStoryID=14926

WKBW-TV Buffalo Sat, 23 Sep 2006 3:11 PM PDT

Sep 23, 2006 - The Family Court building in downtown Buffalo,

dedicated in 2001, and already, there are complaints of problems

like toxic mold. " The union people showed us a picture of someone

with a rash on her face and I suggested that she go to a different

environment and see whether the rash goes away in a different

environment. " said Legislature Minority Leader Dr. Barry

Weinstein. " Somebody went to the doctors and the doctor found mold

spores in their nostril hair, to me that's pretty bad. " added

Legislator Dan Kozub.

Erie County legislator Dan Kozub wrote a letter looking for answers.

Dozens of Erie County employees signed a petition saying their union

tested the building revealing that toxic mold. County files were

even found with mold contamination, prompting one commissioner to

say no one is permitted in the file section without wearing a face

mask and gloves. " Especially being in one of our own buildings with

one of our own employees to put them in that situation if thats the

case that's pretty irresponsible and I think something has to be

done about that and why were looking into this matter. " said Kozub.

" The proper way to get rid of mold is to completely remove it once

we've identify it and thats what we've done. " said Gerald Sentz.

Sentz works for Erie County's department of public works. He is

aware of the ongoing mold concern but doesn't believe it is a

widespread problem. " As were aware of situations that come up we'll

address it. We'll continue to work on it and continue to address

whatever problems we can find. " said Sentz.

The Family Court building is just the beginning. Kozub's letter

cites Old County Hall on lin and another court building on

Delaware as having Legionnaires' bacteria. There are even alleged

problems at facilities the county rents. " My understanding is the

Henz and building they found mold. I know a few of the

employees who work in their for the HEAP department and there was

actually feces actually leaking out of the piping onto somebody's

desk. " said Kozub. " In my opinion I don't think we have the legal

right to go over and make repairs as the renter. I guess what does

the lease say? Who is responsible for maintenance. " said Sentz.

The unions mold and air tests were done in 2005. The county says

it's taken care of every problem since then, but yet there are still

ongoing complaints. Legislator Kozub tells us he will keep us

updated of any of his findings on this problem.