Toxic library’s long leaky past
At least 16 years of leaks, and months of staff health concerns, preceded the closure of a Kápiti Coast library because of dangerous mould.
Despite visible white mould, dripping walls, rotting carpet and concerns from staff, the library wasn’t tested for toxic mould until November 2018, four months after staff complained of asthma.
The library was shut immediately after the test results and carries a combined bill of more than $2 million to fix ‘‘design flaws’’ in the roof, cladding and windows.
Released under the Official Information Act, the list of service requests, complaints and repairs dates back to 2008. The council has now revealed issues were recorded since 2002.
Toxic mould – or Stachybotrys – can produce toxins that suppress the immune system and cause cancer; another mould discovered in the building – Cladosporium – can affect the respiratory system. It is particularly dangerous to infants and older people: Waikanae has a median age of 62.
The November test found mould spores on books, carpets and throughout the air conditioning systems: about
27,000 books need to be decontaminated.
About six staff worked in the building, which also housed a council service desk. Staff approached by Stuff would not comment.
Ka¯ piti Coast District Council manager James Jefferson did not know why the library wasn’t tested earlier. ‘‘In hindsight, I don’t think it is [good enough]. When you look back, there were lots of warning signs, and staff were talking about it.’’
Despite a December report saying people should not enter the building without protective masks and gloves, Jefferson didn’t know if staff or the public had been put in danger.
‘‘I can’t answer that because I’m not a health expert. In hindsight, and when they got the response to air testing, as an organisation we moved quickly, not withstanding there’s some questions about why we didn’t do it earlier.’’
Later, in a written response, he said appropriate action was taken each time an issue was raised, including health and safety checks and repair work. Staff were offered free respiratory checkups and Regional Public Health had been asked for advice.
‘‘Advice received outlined that in cases of these types of mould, symptoms generally clear once people are removed from the affected area.’’
He did not know when the library would reopen but it would be at least 18 months. A pareddown service was being provided in a nearby gallery.
Massey University professor of public health and director of the Centre for Public Health Research Jeroen Douwes thought the council had been negligent.
‘‘It’s bad for people’s health, particularly if they work there for a long time: that’s a bad thing and there’s no exception to it.
‘‘They have exposed people to a hazardous situation that they shouldn’t have done. The evidence is clear, they should have acted more quickly.’’
Employment lawyer Susan Hornsby-Geluk said the council could be liable for any staff health issues caused by the mould.
‘‘Staff could have a claim for breach of an employment agreement in the sense employers must provide a safe workplace.’’
Ka¯ piti Mayor K Gurunathan said there had been a failure in the council’s systems and he wanted it to go before the audit and risk committee.
‘‘This has been a disaster by creep, and when it’s creeping like this at what point does the red flag go up?’’