Mold keeps 'U' workers away

By David Enders

Daily Staff Reporter

University employees at the Argus Building with flu-like symptoms have blamed their troubles on mold entering the building through the air circulation system.

None of the symptoms have been classified as life-threatening, and the University has not mandated an evacuation of the affected area.

The director of the University's Computer Information and Technology Integration department, which uses the Argus Building on William Street, has advised employees to stay out of their workplace after as many as 18 people complained of the symptoms.

"My recommendation was to spend no more than half an hour a day in the building, and no more than five minutes at a time," CITI Director Peter Honeyman said. "I sent e-mail to the staff mailing list and posted a copy on the front door."

The building's owner, O'Neal Construction of Ann Arbor, has hired an independent environmental consulting firm to investigate the complaints. The company has taken air and material samples from the building.

"There were some common molds being drawn in" by the air circulation systems, Jeff Wurst of O'Neal said.

"We started noticing a problem at the end of the summer, and more and more people starting complaining of things like headaches and not feeling well," Olga Kornievskaia, a Computer Science graduate student said.

"I myself don't feel any effects, but most of my co-workers can't work in the building. Two of the people right away stopped working there, and another person is starting to feel sick right now," she said.

Honeyman said the fears of staying in the building will not interfere with the department's work.

"In principle, we can work anywhere we can find bandwidth," he said.

The building, built in 1939, housed the Argus Camera Company. The University owned the building for 20 years before selling it to O'Neal in 1983.

"It's an old building, and it has had some leaks, but (O'Neal) have been very responsive to coming in and removing ceiling tiles," Honeyman said. "These problems are being addressed."

Wurst said his company is working closely with the University "to develop a plan that may involve some cleaning, that may involve the replacement of some materials, including drywall."

JUSTIN FITZPATRICK/Daily

Computer Science graduate students Naomaru Itoi and Olga Kornievskaia ignore the health warning posted on the door and enter the Argus building yesterday.