Tests show no evidence of mold in PV complex

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Tests show no evidence of mold in PV complex

By RICH THURLOW, Editor December 07, 2001

TONOPAH -

Test results from the tainted county government complex in Pahrump have

provided no clues as to what is in the environment that is making employees

working there ill.

The complex was evacuated for a second time in late September, less than a

month after it reopened, when employees again began displaying the symptoms

that prompted the first evacuation and extensive cleanup. That work included

replacing upholstery and installing new carpet and ceiling tiles throughout

the building.

General Services Director Steve Holsinger offered the update. The assumption

had been that mold spores had caused the illnesses, but the recent testing

in the building to determine how widespread " mycotoxins " were since the

cleaning revealed that there are none.

That's a puzzler, Holsinger said, because studies prior to the first

evacuation and cleanup discovered the " prevalence " of the mold spores. " We

did everything we were told was necessary (to get rid of the mold), "

Holsinger said. " ...Folks got ill again, and we did our test and did not

find mold spores. "

Dr. Craner, the sick-building specialist working with the county in

trying to get the Pahrump complex back on line, doesn't have a ready answer

to the problem, Holsinger added.

" The simple answer is, I don't have an answer, " Holsinger told the

commissioners Tuesday.

There are theories the agent that sickens employees is distributed through

the heating and cooling system, or perhaps brought into the building on

shoes. Filters in the ventilation system, both new and used, have been

tested for spores and other possible contaminants, and filters will also be

installed on the outside intakes.

Holsinger also said ceiling tiles " right out of the box aren't sterile. It's

not unusual to find mold spores on brand new tiles or filters. "

He added he might have more information, or an answer to what the problem

is, in six weeks.

Following his presentation Holsinger said Craner still thinks employees are

becoming ill due to something associated with molds, but " there is not

enough medical evidence to pinpoint how it makes folks ill. And we are not

finding it (mold) on the surface or in the air, but he (Craner) believes it

is in the air.

" It is a mystery. "

©Pahrump Valley Times 2001