Mold found in new Derby City Hall
Growth in basement toxic, on 2nd floor less harmful

 

Sarah W. Walker, Register Staff                                                                                             

DERBY — Toxic mold was found in the basement of the new City Hall, while less harmful mold was found on the second floor of the building, officials announced.

Superintendent of Schools Martin Gotowala said he received a telephone call from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Monday, notifying him that the federal agency had found black mold in the city hall building at 1 Elizabeth St.

The building, a former bank, is being renovated into the new City Hall.

Gotowala said that the OSHA representative asked that the maintenance supervisor, who had been working in the basement, be moved upstairs. However, city officials said that they had not been formally notified by OSHA about the mold and as a result could not say how long it might take to clean it up or what the cost might be.

Gotowala said OSHA officials told him the mold was identified as Stachybotrys chartarum and is a potentially harmful black mold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold that requires constant moisture for growth.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that chartarum produces potentially hazardous toxigenic spores. The spores are of most concern when an air-conveyance system is involved, the EPA’s Web site say.

Potential health risks when inhaled include coughing, wheezing, runny nose, irritated eyes or throat, skin rash or diarrhea, according to the EPA’s Web site.

"Obviously we’re concerned about anything that affects our health," Gotowala said, "The mold they found in the basement has been known to cause health problems."

Gotowala said that he was unsure of the extent of the potential health problems.

A less harmful type of black mold was also found on the second floor, where the Board of Education continues to work, Gotowala said.

Both Gotowala and the city official said that the Board of Education and the city are working together to find a new temporary home for the school board as soon as possible.

It was unclear Monday when exactly the offices may be moved.

OSHA previously cited the city after discovering that there was only one egress for employees on the second floor of the building, which could be a safety hazard in case of fire.  School board employees, however, remained in the said building.