Article published Jul 19, 2006

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.



 

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