Reports last week of the significant presence of mold and the illness-causing fungus Scopulariopsis at the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Atlanta Center in Hampton led to a work stoppage by Peachtree Mechanical, Inc., the Fayetteville firm contracted to work on the center’s ventilation system.

Many of the hundreds of air traffic controllers and other employees at the facility have experienced unexplained illnesses they now believe is linked to exposure to Scopulariopsis, found in late September by an environmental contractor working at the site.

“It has just been brought to the attention of Peachtree Mechanical, Inc. that there are issues at the FAA with mold and fungus. Peachtree Mechanical Inc. has not been made aware of any issues associated with mold and fungus. We have issued a ‘work stoppage’ for all of our work forces, subcontractors and vendors until further directed by the FAA that we are clear of this issue,” said Executive Vice President Richard Denney in an Oct. 5 letter to FAA’s College Park office. “We take this as a very serious issue and concern and must act to protect the well-being and safety of all our employees.”

Denney noted the scope of work for which his company had been hired, such as the removal of duct work and air handlers.

“This work is the housing and manifesting areas that could possibly hold mold and fungus. We have been directed to demolish said items above and we were never given any warning that the possibility of mold and fungus could be present. We have not been notified of the ongoing issues at the FAA by anyone,” Denney said.

Peachtree Mechanical asked for documentation indicating that its employees are not being affected by the fungus, the presence of which was confirmed in late September by Suwanee-based Analytical Environmental Services, Inc.

Denney asked that FAA seek the services of an environmental professional to handle this “serious issue.” Denney also requested that the work area be tested and cleared prior to Peachtree Mechanical employees returning to the Hampton site.

“Peachtree Mechanical would like to continue with the project but we have to protect the well-being of all of our employees and subcontractors,” Denney said.

FAA Southern Region External Communications Manager Kathleen Bergen said last week that the agency is working to address air traffic controllers’ concerns. Actions such as removing the mold and replacing the facility’s roof is in the works, Bergen said.

Fungal samples were taken at the Hampton facility on Sept. 20 by Analytical Environmental. Some of the sample areas were those in close proximity to where air traffic controllers work, said National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) local chapter President Calvin Phillips.

A specific type of fungus, Scopulariopsis, was found in mold growth under the elevated floor, in duct work and in the walls of the center’s control room where air traffic controllers perform their duties directing more than 3 million high-altitude flights per year across much of the southeastern United States, Phillips said.

Referred to as “loaded” in the analytical report that measured the mold spore count in a range from “rare” (indicating 1-25 fungus spores) to “loaded” (76-100 spores), the control room’s spore count for the fungus Scopulariopsis totaled 1,700 spores per cubic meter.

“The rampant growth of the mold was finally revealed. We are basically surrounded by this highly toxic fungus,” Phillips said last week. “For years we have been complaining of health issues and have suspected our sick building was to blame.”

Phillips accounted for the significant presence of Scopulariopsis at the Hampton facility due to an abundance of rain water that enters the building through the roof. Phillips said moisture-laden portions of the building’s interior are an effective breeding ground for mold that contains Scopulariopsis.

Rain water enters through the control room ceiling in such volume that air traffic controllers sometimes place trash cans next to their work stations to catch the water, he said. Others have, on occasion, resorted to holding umbrellas over their heads and radar scopes to keep water from reaching the equipment, he said.