Mold discovered in Martin County building
By Lisa Broadt, Treasure Coast Newspapers, Stuart, Fla. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Employees discovered the black and yellow mold on the walls and ceiling of the General Services Field Operations building and a repair request was filed
Employees who complained of health problems were referred to the risk management department, the first step to potentially receiving medical treatment. None of the employees was determined to have been harmed by the exposure and none was approved for workers' compensation, according to Taryn Kryzda, county administrator.
There has not been a similar mold situation in 25 years, Kryzda said.
How to spot and prevent mold in your home
In a photo from August provided by the county, patches of yellow mold spot the ceiling and the back of a cabinet, and black mold oozes from behind a map.
A work order for roof repairs because of "signs of water intrusion from a roof or wall leak," was submitted by Field Operations/Storm Water Manager
"Signs of water damage on the ceiling and wall," he reported in the work order. "Water and black mold on the wall." The repairs have to be complete by
Condensation behind the map, not a ceiling leak, fed the mold's growth on the wall, according to Kryzda.
Kryzda said there was no mold in the wall behind the map, but as a precaution, the county removed the drywall and called in an outside firm to test the air purity.
"They make sure the office areas are safe," she said.
On Tuesday, the county received the test results, which indicated the cleanup was effective.
View the test results.
Of the dozen employees who work near the area the mold was discovered, half filled out notice of injury forms, according to Risk Management Specialist
Those forms go to the risk management department and from there are forwarded to a third party administrator who handles the county's workers' compensation claims. That outside administrator works with employees and determines if they need to see a physician.
Though none was approved for workers' compensation, employees may independently visit a doctor to seek another opinion and resubmit a claim.
"The onus is on employees to demonstrate they've been harmed or exposed," Kryzda said.
INTERACTIVE QUIZ: What's your indoor mold IQ?
After battling a pervasive mold problem in the early 1990s -- the entire courthouse had to be gutted -- the county put preventive measures into place. To keep moisture from building up, it doesn't allow wallpaper and allows only certain types of paint, for example.
But when mold issues do arise, the county takes them seriously, according to Kryzda.
"When employees have concerns, because they are having some sort of respiratory or eye situation in office area, nine times of 10 the first thought it mold," she said. "Then we send in the team because if it's mold we want to know about it."
MOLD TIPS
HOW DO I KNOW IF THERE IS MOLD IN MY HOME?
--Look for visible mold growth; it may look cottony, velvety, rough or leathery and be white, gray, brown, black, yellow or green.
--Mold often appears as a staining or fuzzy growth on furniture or building materials such as walls, ceilings or anything made of wood or paper.
--Look for signs of moisture or water damage.
--Check around air handling units for standing water. Routinely inspect the evaporator coils, liner surfaces, drain pans and drain lines.
--If you can smell an earthy or musty odor, you may have a mold problem.
HOW TO PREVENT MOLD GROWTH
--Clean and dry up spills within 24 hours.
--Dry out wet building materials and carpets within 24 hours.
--Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to reduce the indoor humidity levels below 60 percent. If you have a central air conditioning system and need a dehumidifier to reduce humidity, you should have the air conditioning system examined for problems.
--Do not carpet bathrooms or basements.
Source:
This story will be updated.
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