April 2, 2003
Nurses looking for independent investigation of possible
mold problem at the Foothills Medical Centre
Health Region blocking Professor Tang Lee from investigating
CALGARY – Nurses have been getting sick, with headaches, respiratory problems and other symptoms, when they work in a renal dialysis unit at the Foothills Medical Centre. The frequent illnesses have increased dramatically since a water leak flood last September. On Monday, the nurses filed a complaint with provincial Workplace Health and Safety, asking government to intervene and help deal with the nurses’ health concerns.
“We have people off sick and the hospital has not provided us with any answers about the causes, and we do not think they are doing enough to solve the problem,” says UNA Local Vice-President, Michelle Senkow. “In January we offered to bring in Professor Tang Lee, a n environmental health expert, to determine what could be causing the illnesses. So far they’ve refused to let us bring him in.”
"It would be prudent of the hospital to allow experts in to assist and to have complete cooperation and disclosure. The fact that they have refused to allow any third party in to investigate is disturbing,” said Michelle Senkow.
Nurses are concerned it could be a toxic mold problem. This concern was heightened last weekend when a two-foot mold spot was found in a patient bathroom.
Prof. Tang Lee is the Professor of Architecture, Building Science and Environmental Health at the University of Calgary who’s investigation lead to the closing of the Calgary provincial court house bcause of mold contamination problems. He is one of the few individuals accepted by the courts as an expert witness in the area of building science, regulations and indoor air quality.
Lee says mold outbreaks must be very carefully handled. "Once it is determined that mold is present, certain strict procedures must be followed, similar to but beyond the procedure for asbestos abatement. For example, the surrounding area must be further tested to determine the extent of spreading of the mold. Visual inspection is not enough.”
Last weekend the hospital taped a plastic barrier around the walls of the patient bathroom that is beside the nursing station on the unit.
“They never informed nurses or the union that they had found something, or what they were doing about it,” Senkow says. “We are concerned that the quick barrier they set up is inadequate and we want a thorough study done. We’re prepared to pay the costs for Professor Lee to come in.”
“We have documented health concerns from this unit that date back to 1995,” Michelle Senkow explains. “Since last fall dozens of nurses have become sick. This exposure, if it’s allowed to keep going could have serious health consequences.”
The nurses local asked Alberta Workplace Health and Safety to direct the Foothills to allow Prof. Lee to investigate and to vacate the unit and move its operation to another location until the investigation is completed.
“Why aren’t they letting an outside expert in? Why aren’t they keeping us informed? We want to work collaboratively with the hospital, but with the months we have waited for action on this we want to have an outside authority in to ensure every thing possible is being done.” Senkow says.
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