Mold at the center of controversy

Melissa Gluckmann of New York is fighting the good fight to get a sick building closed. The building where she started work in 2005 had been found to be contaminated with stachybotrys and other dangerous molds back in 2000 after an employee got very ill. There was a partial attempt to remedy the problem, but the money ran out and no attempt was made to secure more money to continue.

“Reports show all types of molds that were remediated and then show recommendations to avoid future mold, none of which were followed,” she told me in email correspondence today. “I have photos of leaks and water damage, as do others.”

After just two months in the building at Rockland Community College, Melissa tells me she ended up on oxygen, horribly sick. Three months later she suffered rashes, ear pain, sinus issues, confusion, dizziness, numbness, short term memory loss, multiple chemical sensitivity and joint pain. Finally, after tests showed toxigenic mold in her bloodstream, she moved out, eventually leaving the job.

But employees in the building are still getting sick. And so Melissa has taken up the cause to get the building closed — while still struggling herself with respiratory problems and MCS. Tuesday night she and others will again attempt to prompt elected officials to do their job to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

The local NBC affiliate picked up the story (vid above, just click on photo):

June 26, 2008 The problem of toxic mold poisoning in Rockland Community College’s offices housed in Brucker Hall was to be the subject of a County Legislature Multi-Services Committee meeting yesterday, but several of the affected employees were denied a chance to speak when the Chairman Philip Soskin, D-Monsey, abruptly canceled the meeting after speaking to an attorney hired by the county Insurance Department.

Since 2007, nine worker’s compensation claims have been filed by employees based on exposure to mold and unidentified toxins. Eight employees, including executive officers, have been moved out of the 171-year-old Alms House that now serves as the college’s administration building.

Legislator Joseph Meyers, D-Airmont, had called for the hearing and was unhappy that the employees were not heard. On Tuesday, July 1st at 8pm, at the regular County Legislative meeting in New City, Melissa Gluckmann, perhaps the most seriously affected employee, will return with others to speak in the public comment portion of the meeting. She has written to her supporters asking them to come out and support her attempt to remove her co-workers still at risk in the building until some remedy for the situation is found.

Stay tuned.

Link, which came from this site.