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Concerns Remain Over Air Quality at Courthouse

POTTSVILLE — After the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office shared the results of its own petri dish mold tester with county commissioners, concern wa...
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POTTSVILLE -- After the Schuylkill County Sheriff's Office shared the results of its own petri dish mold tester with county commissioners, concern was raised if there was toxic mold or other air quality issues at the county courthouse.

The commissioner's office hired an environmental firm to test the building.

"From what we have been told by the people who we have brought in, the experts, again  I  am not the expert, is that we are in a situation that no one is in any area of harm," said Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage.

The commissioner's office sent out a letter to county court employees and has made these reports of radon and mold testing at the courthouse available to the public.

Even though the reports indicate the levels of radon are not considered dangerous, and the mold is not toxic.

The county will still  pay nearly $60,000 to  install a radon removal system and clean mold in the ventilation system.

"If there is any area of concern we are going to make sure that it is taken care of. There is nothing to hide. We want safety. We want to have a safe work environment," Halcovage added.

Despite the abatement plan the district attorney's office, the clerk of courts, and even the sheriff's office are still concerned.

"The number of cancers that are prevalent in the sheriff's department alone are at the very least atypical," said Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Maria Casey.

The sheriff's office on the first floor of the courthouse has  seen about a dozen of its officers battle cancer. Most of them want more  proof there is not a link to the building's air quality.

Officers aren't convinced with the latest report. Neither is the clerk of courts, especially after seeing a 2009 inspection that cited concerning levels of spores in certain parts of the building.

"It is my understanding that these areas were never addressed. yet a report was put out by the administration saying there was no problem with the building," Casey questioned.

The clerk of courts wants a second inspection done, as crews start the radon abatement at the county courthouse.

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