Scientists probe mystery illness at UNLV

Wednesday, May 15, 2002 | 11:07 a.m.

Federal and university scientists are trying to discover why 15 employees of an Environmental Protection Agency laboratory at UNLV have been ill for the past two years.

Two types of toxic mold were found under a ceiling tile in the EPA's library in a 37-year-old building under repair, J. Gareth Pearson, deputy directory of EPA's Environmental Sciences Division, said Tuesday.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which owns the EPA complex, closed the building. Numerous leaks have been reported over the years in the EPA complex on Harmon Avenue.

"We have never encountered anything affecting humans to this extent," said Thomas Hagge, UNLV associate vice president of facilities management and planning.

The office air is filtered, and consultants are searching for clues to the mysterious rashes, respiratory problems and memory losses.

"I think we all would like to know what to blame," Pearson said after a tour of the building.

Stachybotrys spores and chaetomium, a mold that normally grows in the soil, were confirmed by microbiologist Linda Stetzenbach on May 8. Stetzenbach is a mold expert at the UNLV Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies.

About 20 more samples will be collected from the attic area because of continuing employee health problems. Dust levels were also high in the building. Molds can cling to dust particles, Stetzenbach said in a report.

Stachybotrys has been found in the new Lied Library, the university's campus services building and under the wooden dance floor in the Alta Ham Fine Arts Building over the past several years, UNLV spokesman Tom Flagg said.

Workers have reported skin rashes, breathing problems, headaches and forgetfulness. Their physicians, they say, have not pinpointed the cause of their health problems.

Joann Menke spent three days in October 2001 in the hospital after complaining of breathing problems. "It felt like my chest was being crushed," she said.

Instead of two migraines a year, Menke said she suffers 13 to 16 headaches a month. "I'm keeping a journal of when they occur," she said.

Daniel Heggam said he has trouble remembering things. "You read a sentence and you don't remember it," he said.

Physical scientist Deb Chaloud said she has to keep lists of everything and has headaches every day.

"We don't make a product, we sell our brains," Chaloud said. "We're all still hoping when we get out of this environment the headaches, rashes and memory losses will dissipate."

The workers have continued to experience their symptoms in an eight-trailer complex that has been operating for about a year in the university's north parking lot.

"We are following prudent landlord practices, common practices used across the valley," Hagge said.

Consultant Thomas McManus of Environmental Health Services toured both buildings Tuesday.

Identifying environmental causes of illness is a relatively new field, he said.

"Finding a cause is difficult," McManus said. "We'll do our best."