Health Concerns Prompt Examination in Middle District of Florida

Study confirms sick building syndrome in five Florida courthouses

Some employees described being chronically short of breath and wheezing. Others complained of chronic fatigue, eye and nose irritation, headaches, or difficulty concentrating. The symptoms appeared to be consistent with "sick building syndrome" and were reported, to varying degrees, by employees in federal courthouses in the Middle District of Florida.

Amid concern about employee health, the Administrative Office commissioned an evaluation of the indoor air quality of federal courthouse facilities in the district. This report confirmed that sick building syndrome symptoms are occurring among occupants of the Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, and Tampa buildings. The report, which was released in July 2001, contains the epidemiological study and survey of court employees conducted by Dr. Joseph Q. Jarvis, M.D., M.S.P.H. In addition, AET Environmental, Inc., through the Vitetta Group, was retained to perform various environmental tests within the facilities to determine the presence of mold, mildew, and other substances possibly hazardous to people working in the buildings.

"The extent revealed in this report of microbial contamination in five courthouses is alarming," said Chief Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich of the Middle District of Florida. "And while the court relies on the General Services Administration to correct air quality problems, we are moving forward to keep our people up-to-date on their work environment so that they may make informed decisions concerning their health."

In September, the Middle District of Florida planned a series of town hall meetings at the Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, and Tampa, Florida courthouses to explain and discuss the report findings. Dr. Jarvis would be available at each meeting to respond to questions on each courthouse. Due to the tragic events of September 11, the Fort Myers meeting was cancelled. The Jacksonville meeting ended early due to concerns about the approach of Hurricane Gabrielle. Arrangements are being made for employees at the cancelled or abbreviated meetings to submit questions to Dr. Jarvis. The Tampa, Ocala and Orlando meetings went as scheduled.

Meanwhile, GSA has formed a panel of experts to review the report. According to Thomas Walker, GSA assistant regional administrator, Public Buildings Service, "a third party peer review will help ensure that GSA's plans for each building are based on recognized industry standards and the most current procedures being utilized in the field."

The Jarvis report found four common deficiencies in the federal courthouses: outdoor ventilation air flows and room air changes were inadequate; building interior pressure is not adequate to prevent the infiltration of moisture-laden air into the building; outdoor ventilation air is not dehumidified enough to prevent microbial growth; and ventilation air intakes are in close proximity to contaminate sources such as vehicle exhaust. Water flooding and damage was found in all buildings within the district and there was evidence of mold reservoirs in each of the buildings. In two new federal courthouses, the new San Gibbons Federal Courthouse in Tampa and the new courthouse in Fort Myers, mold was brought from the old facilities with the transfer of papers, files, and courthouse furniture. At this time, the General Services Administration, the federal agency that builds and maintains federal courthouses, has declared the old Classic Courthouse in Tampa unfit for occupancy. GSA also will run the air conditioning in the affected courthouses 24 hours a day, seven days a week.