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KMBC investigates mold problem in Odessa city building

Open records request shows history of issues

A persistent mold problem at an Odessa, Mo., city building has employees concerned for their health.
A persistent mold problem at an Odessa, Mo., city building has employees concerned for their health.
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KMBC investigates mold problem in Odessa city building
Open records request shows history of issues
A persistent mold problem at an Odessa, Mo., city building has employees concerned for their health.KMBC's Haley Harrison received a tip from a viewer about mold in the city's police station and ambulance building.  KMBC 9 News dug into records and found a history of leaks, condensation and poor drainage, which made the building a breeding ground for mold.  Drips from the air conditioning unit, damp conditions and flooding have Odessa leaders again answering questions about whether the public safety building has mold growing inside.Through an open records request, Harrison uncovered that the Lafayette County Health Department reported "this building has a mold problem," in 2010.  More than 20 employees were surveyed, and all reported strong, foul odors of sewage and mustiness.  72% also complained of frequent headaches.  And half of respondents reported sinus and nose problems while at work.Click here to read a 2014 Health Department memoA week later, the Missouri Health Department said no mold was visible, but conditions were present allowing for the growth of mold.The Environmental Protection Agency says mold exposure causes nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing and skin irritation for some.The city said it followed through on recommendations from the county and state.  But four years later, an independent consultant found mold growing on ceiling tiles.The city denied KMBC 9 News access to the taxpayer funded building to see the mold for ourselves.  The city later announced that it was moving the police department and ambulatory services into a temporary building while they clean and repair the current building.If you have a problem you'd like KMBC 9 News to investigate, email us at 9canhelp@kmbc.com.11833402

A persistent mold problem at an Odessa, Mo., city building has employees concerned for their health.

KMBC's Haley Harrison received a tip from a viewer about mold in the city's police station and ambulance building.  KMBC 9 News dug into records and found a history of leaks, condensation and poor drainage, which made the building a breeding ground for mold.  Drips from the air conditioning unit, damp conditions and flooding have Odessa leaders again answering questions about whether the public safety building has mold growing inside.

Through an open records request, Harrison uncovered that the Lafayette County Health Department reported "this building has a mold problem," in 2010.  More than 20 employees were surveyed, and all reported strong, foul odors of sewage and mustiness.  72% also complained of frequent headaches.  And half of respondents reported sinus and nose problems while at work.

Click here to read a 2014 Health Department memo

A week later, the Missouri Health Department said no mold was visible, but conditions were present allowing for the growth of mold.

The Environmental Protection Agency says mold exposure causes nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing and skin irritation for some.

The city said it followed through on recommendations from the county and state.  But four years later, an independent consultant found mold growing on ceiling tiles.

The city denied KMBC 9 News access to the taxpayer funded building to see the mold for ourselves.  The city later announced that it was moving the police department and ambulatory services into a temporary building while they clean and repair the current building.

If you have a problem you'd like KMBC 9 News to investigate, email us at 9canhelp@kmbc.com.

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