Union members working at the Department of Labor Building, also known as the Plywood Palace, have started a blog to document the conditions under which they work daily.
The state of Alaska recently renewed its lease with the owners of the Department of Labor building at 1111 W. 8th Street. Workers have reported symptoms similar to flu, which they blame on a leaky, moldy work space
Workers in the DOL building have complained of allergies triggered by mold in the building.
The Division of General Services leases the Department of Labor Building for the state of Alaska.
Jade Bickmore is an employee of the Department of Labor. She said she didn’t create the website but is helping track down information.
“We thought it was a great idea to have one place that we can start gathering the information,” Bickmore said. “It’s a work in progress.”
Bickmore said the site was inspired by the state signing a five-year lease with the building’s owners Juneau I, LLC.
“We were extremely disappointed when we heard the state was going to sign another five year contract,” Bickmore said. “That was very very disappointing.”
Bickmore said she is concerned that the state is not moving workers out of the building during remediation work. The last time this happened it caused an allergic outbreak among employees, she said.
The site is informational, Bickmore said, not an attempt to take a shot at the state or the building’s owner.
“I’m not setting out to hang them out to dry,” Bickmore said. “I’m trying to fight for myself and others. That there is a medical issue behind this.”
Bickmore said she receives emails and calls almost daily from frustrated co-workers whose managers or doctors do not believe their illness. She said she started researching moisture and mold in buildings to address her own sickness.
“I’ve gotten medical books, I’ve gone to Center for Disease Control, Occupational Safety and Health Agency Environmental Protection Agency, World Health Organization and the Mayo Clinic and across the board they say people can be affected by mold,” Bickmore said. “Where do you go when you have health issues and it seems to be directly tied to a workplace and building that is know to have mold?”
People with allergies or asthma, chemotherapy patients, the elderly and infants are the most affected, Bickmore said.
Bickmore said building mold is a bigger problem than most realize.
“We have an issue in this state that we probably need to start looking at,” Bickmore said.
For more information visit www.waterdamagedbldg.weebly.com
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (40)
Add commentUnbelievable
I can't believe the state is choosing to stay in this building! Good god is it owned by some politician's relative? Why risk it?
I'd be livid if I or my loved one worked there.
Imagine if the state HAD found a new place and an alternative high school, or a childcare facility, or even a pediatrician's office rented out that building. You don't think more people would suddenly believe the mold issue? Would you let your child be there 8 hours/day? Would you bring a sick or asthmatic toddler into that doctor office for medical care?
I wouldn't.
Sometimes it's easy to ridicule people without putting yourself in their shoes.
Before the bloggers start their derisive comments, imagine putting someone you love in that building 40+ hours/week... Is it worth the risk?
This situation makes me sad for those people.
Health effects of mold
Mold can cause serious health problems. For accurate information about the health effects of mold, go to http://truthaboutmold.info and check out the Global Indoor Health Network at http://globalindoorhealthnetwork.com. Be sure to read GIHN's position statement that discusses the diagnosis and treatment of illness caused by mold.
I'm appalled the state
I'm appalled the state renewed this lease. They have know about the problem for years and still refuse to recognize their responsibility to do something about it :-(
Wasn't there an article
Wasn't there an article awhile back reporting an investigation that found no mold? I'm vaguely remembering something like that. Anyone else recall such an article?
I find it hard to believe with the liability that this would carry that the state would keep anyone in there if there in fact is a mold issue. They would be liable for probably millions in a lawsuit. That's the purpose I the blog btw. No need to call it something else. They are doing the right thing by documenting, sadly they will need medical or other professionals to confirm such claims.
drama....
There has NEVER been black mold found in that building....for years, daily tests have been run and the air outside is MUCH worse than the air inside....some of these drama queens just want to be able to work from home (and yes, the state actually granted some of them to do so...) for just complaining.....NO they would not renew the lease if there was any dangeous mold in that building. The landlord is basically going to remodel the whole building as well....
drama....
There has NEVER been black mold found in that building....for years, daily tests have been run and the air outside is MUCH worse than the air inside....some of these drama queens just want to be able to work from home (and yes, the state actually granted some of them to do so...) for just complaining.....NO they would not renew the lease if there was any dangerous mold in that building. The landlord is basically going to remodel the whole building as well....
Lipstick...
Won't work on that pig.The workers need to be moved.......
I work there
AKPatriot-
I work in that dilapidated building, and although not as sensitive as some I DO get sick and I resent you or anyone else for that matter calling any of us “drama queens”- You wouldn’t last a minute in that building I’m sure. Mold is a very serious thing and more people need to be aware of that. Kindly keep your feeble opinions to yourself.
@AKPatriot
Okay, so if they are drama queens, let's remember this.
If someone does end up with serious health issues --- and it's clear that some already are prone to asthma or other allergy issues which are being compounded, they say, by the mold (they didn't say 'black mold' for all the problems) so be it. Someday a huge lawsuit against the State of Alaska may be won.
Millions of dollars.
Will you be okay with that cost, you who says they are lying?
Risk assessment should not have roots in anger or pity.
The question the State asked was, "Is the risk w/ possible issues/worker complaints worth it?" and they answered, "Yes."
I think they made a mistake.
Time will tell.
I'm glad I don't work there and I feel sorry for those who do.
Anything for a day off
Worked in that building until recently for years myself.
Never any issues with the invisible mold.
What I saw was lots of drama in that building.
Walk if off...
what's the big deal?
If Dept. of Labor employees think working in the "Plywood Palace" is a health hazard then they should move on.
Quit. Transfer.
Fred Meyers,Home Depot & Walmart are hiring.
There are,also, lots of State jobs available in Anchorage/Mat-Su.
I did work there..
For many many years...never had any issues...and I have allergies....perfectly healthy. AGAIN, there is daily testing...no dangerous mold ever found. SO Wefish......I lasted plenty of minutes....so has many other employees who have worked there without issue.
Once again @AKPatriot????
First of all you do not know what you are talking about, what a surprise.!! There has been no so called black mold found in the building, really????
In a report dated 1/4/2012 the following was reported to be found in the fishbowl on the second floor.
Fungi Found:
Penicillium sp. - Spores and conidiophores
Stachybotrys chartarum - Spores and conidiophores
The swab was loaded with Stachybotrys (black mold) with small amounts of Penicillium also present. Many of the Stachybotrys are immature and are in good condition suggesting active growth.
They found additional mold in suite 210 though I do not believe it was tested. All of this is years AFTER the previous remediation.
So next time you open your mouth @AKPatriot make sure you know what you are talking about.
Fisherwoman asked, " Is it
Fisherwoman asked, " Is it owned by some politician's relative?"
Good question. I see this as the government at its worst. The state never cancels a lease and half the buildings they lease are pits. Furthermore, they should buy property and own the office buildings. The leases waste cash even in the rare cases where the landlords maintain them.
The leases are a payout that keeps on sucking the treasury. One has to wonder about Fisherwoman's question. One also has to wonder if the lease holders donate to anybody's campaign.
Good god. MoldHelp, learn
Good god.
MoldHelp, learn some science. Most molds do not produce "biotoxins." They release spores. It's how they reproduce. Some people have allergic reactions to spores in the exact same way they have reactions to pollen or pet dander. A few molds do produce actual toxins, but most do not. They also don't get into the brain, as they are FAR too large to pass the blood-brain barrier.
Your list of symptoms is also kind of BS. The link between black mold and health problems is still unresolved at best, to say nothing of nontoxic molds, which haven't been shown to cause any issues beyond allergic reactions in some individuals. What you've done is listed essentially every symptom possible for any disease and blamed it on mold in order to make people think they have a problem that they really don't so they'll go to your website and purchase your services. I think that playing on people's fears for your own gain is pretty despicable.
The mold problem is
The mold problem is everywhere. There are people & children who have been living amid the mold for years. In 1986 I complained to my landlord about the mold, and was told "you live in Juneau, you'll have to deal with it". Here it is, 2012, and finally someone is complaining about the mold, in writing, where the whole world can hear...what will be done, probably the same thing that was done in 1986...nothing!
@MoldHelp: for a non-profit,
@MoldHelp: for a non-profit, your website seems to be only too eager to offer up its services.
I read the abstracts to your papers, and there are a few things that stand out: they didn't take into account other factors that may have influenced their findings (e.g. do people who live or work in water-damaged buildings tend to be poorer? Do older, moldier buildings contain asbestos, lead paint, or other harmful substances newer buildings lack? Was there sample bias?), the studies all involved water-damaged buildings with major mold problems, and mold species weren't isolated and tested by themselves.
It's worth mentioning that every breath every one of us takes is loaded with mold spores. They are everywhere. We are constantly exposed to them.
Has anyone
looked at the pictures? Regardless of ones personal opinion of whether black mold (which was, in fact, found in the building) is bad, to me what is just as shameful is the pictures of water infiltration, which by the way, has been covered up more than just one time, only to return. Its a State Office Building, folks, to which the State is paying a hefty rent for. This has been going on for a very long time, not just a couple of years. They come in sand down the walls, re-paint and say its fixed. They had a carpenter ant problem, had someone come in, drill holes and spray and then water continued to come in on carpets, this time with pesticides mixed in it. For the amount of money the State is paying this building owner, I would have expected them to be held to a higher standard, but apparently the State doesnt care how they are spending this money. Its not just mold. Look at the pictures of standing water in the ceiling light fixtures, the electrical cords on soaked carpets, the light fixtures standing next to water on window sills. Last I recall, water doesnt mix too well with elecricity and its shameful, that OSHA, who is housed in that same building, just lets it continue. I hope the employees file a lawsuit.
Googled mold
I googled mold and I found that the EPA, CDC, OSHA and other government agencies do indeed say that mold can affect the health of those people that are sensitive to mold, have a weakened immune system, ashma or allergies. Not everyone is affected but for those unlucky enough to be affected by it, it can make your life miserable.
So are we saying that only people that are healthy can or should work in the building? Does not sound like a very safe and healthy work environment to me.
testing for mold
They've tested the building numerous times and haven't found mold. This is such a wet climate that I have to wonder which places don't have mold. I work there and I never get sick.
I think some people are just prone to mold or symptoms they want to blame on mold. You have to wonder though if they drink a lot or smoke, or have asthma?
I think its just a few people that are reporting symptoms out of the many people that have worked in the building. I think people look for a cause of their illness and it's difficuilt to prove it's the building.
I'm skeptical of any smokers that complain about mold and have to wonder if that is happening.
Mold, in Juneau?
I work there. Most of us in the building do not have and have never had health problems. We're informed regularly about testing and progress, and the spore levels are well within limits deemed safe and are FAR less than outdoors (and probably your house, too). I've seen all the reports. Our building is also being renovated, top to bottom.
Mold is pretty much impossible to escape in Juneau. I won't go as far as to say my building coworkers have no legitimate complaint; I'm sure some do -- but I think some of you removed from the situation who are panicking and screaming "how could they" about the state and the owners are off base. It's not like this issue is being ignored. I think we should see how the renovation goes.
....and then there are others of us who work there
who have never had such hystaminic or respiratory illness frequency in our lives. Every day I work in that building I itch, I sneeze, I feel fatigue that is most unusual. I take Benadryl almost daily just to remain at work. I work with people who are constantly ill, and I am exposed to documented, verifiable, and visible black mold.
Supervisors I work with agree that THEY are ill more frequently than at any other venue in their careers. Despite this known problem, an e-mail was sent from a management staffer to all call center staff abjectly threatening them with termination for "excessive, unscheduled use of personal leave". The union admonished the management staff member, yet no retraction or apology was given. The e-mailed threat stands.
Staff members whose symptoms become unbearable are left to fight through the union grievance process to be allowed a transfer to a safer building.This process, if successful, takes months and months. DOL is fully aware of the risks involved in remaining in this building but continue to take those risks on behalf of their subordinate staff. Renewal of the lease is an unconscienable slap in the face to people who need to work, dont have options for other jobs, and must endure the exposures as they fear termination for staying home when ill.
While I agree that mold in southeast is inevitable, the level of pathology experienced by staff by Plywood Palace occupants is far from normal or inevitable. Something must be done that will remedy this issue. The building is unsafe. Everyone knows it. No one does anything transformational about it. Let us hope the state is prepared for the inevitable class action law suits, ongoing Workman's Compensation claims, and inability to retain competent employees due to working conditions.
I know they aren't opportunists, either
@concernedcitizen:
As one of the apparently lucky ones who's had no problems in the building, I defer to your experience. I know that certain areas of the building have had continual problems and others (like mine) have had none. The problems have always been, to my knowledge, confined to a few areas ... and those having trouble have sometimes relocated temporarily to my area.
Also, the people I know there who do have health problems are neither smokers nor opportunists who "want to work from home," as a few commenters said earlier. Equally stupid was the comment about how they should "quit and work somewhere else if they don't like it." Amazing...
Wasn't there an article
Wasn't there an article awhile back reporting an investigation that found no mold? I'm vaguely remembering something like that. Anyone else recall such an article?
I find it hard to believe with the liability that this would carry that the state would keep anyone in there if there in fact is a mold issue. They would be liable for probably millions in a lawsuit. That's the purpose I the blog btw. No need to call it something else. They are doing the right thing by documenting, sadly they will need medical or other professionals to confirm such claims.
Oops. Anyway, so we have
Oops.
Anyway, so we have people posting that have worked in the building. Two completely different reports. One poster said they post findings from daily tests. If that is true, AND if OSHA is I that building anything unsafe would get nailed. Osha does NOT let things go. Those two reports make me think we have some over sensitive people. Before you get offended remember I'm listening to many comments and looked up previous articles. There are too many reports and test that have been done that had found nothing close to unsafe. Sorry.
If the union isn't doing anything that means either an ineffective union or they see the lack of evidence and realize there's no way to win.
Still, the state shouldn't rent. That's just silly, uneconomical and [filtered word] poor management.
@Alaskastu
Apparently the firm that did the inspection disagrees with you as well as the reports showing penicillium and stachybotrys chartarum which is also known as black mold. At the site mentioned in the Empire article is the report from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc as well as pictures in the report as well as other pictures taken in certain offices. As to statements saying they arent ignoring the problem, perhaps its not understood that this problem has been going on since well before 2005. Albeit its good they will be doing inspection, including finally opening up wall cavities, I'd say 12 years later isnt exactly hopping on it. To those who dont work in the affected areas in the building, maybe you'd be willing to trade offices with those employees who are sitting in affected areas. Afterall, if there is no danger, Im sure you wouldnt mind, would you?
There are numerous state-leased facilities in Juneau.
Yet to my recollection this single building has been a lone voice, for years, regarding health issues involving mold. Common sense leads me to believe something is amiss with that building.
Ken you are right
There are numerous state leased facilities in Juneau and every one of them is a waste of money compared to buying the building. The rents are overpriced but few people complain about it because the costs aren't paid by you and me.
That said most of the state leased buildings aren't full of mold. The plywood palace stands out in that regard.
Can't take it no more....
I've worked in the Plywood Palace for more years than most and I've seen and heard it all. These so called 'workers' are looking for a freebee on the state dime, no doubt. Most homes and other buildings in this town have some sort of mold or rot in small amounts. One of the biggest 'voices' for the sickies lives in an old mobile home with mold and rot throughout. What a waste of time and resources. It's not going to stop until the lease is broke and another building is built. Just saying.....I'm sick of hearing about it. Do your jobs or quit and move on. How much time to you use everyday emailing and complaining to whomever will listen. Grow up.
Never Ever
I have a proposition:
To theo, wavemaker, AKpatriot, ricoak, towhit, webster, alaskastu
Don't put your money where you loud mouths are... put your children or grandchildren where your mouths are.
If you are SO SURE that the building is safe, imagine sending your child or grandchild into that building EVERY DAY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK for eight hours a day.
I am willing to bet you would NEVER take that risk. Be honest. You know if there was a small chance of health issues you'd never expose your sweet, young loved ones to that crappy air.
So you should stop your know-it-all comments.