Marblehead officials await result of air quality test at Abbot Library

MARBLEHEAD – The Oct. 4 storm flooded the basement of Abbot Public Library with nearly an inch of water, reawakening staff concerns about mold and health issues – and Abbot Public Library Trustees are waiting for the results of the building?s second state air quality inspection in four years.Five employees attended a meeting Tuesday to tell trustees that some staff and visitors have gotten headaches and other symptoms in the past week which they fear could be reactions to mold.Children?s Librarian Marcia Cannon and other staffers told the trustees the library is “a great place to work” but the symptoms have surfaced on more than one occasion in the past 15 years.Since the flooding two employees complained of illness to Library Director Patricia Rogers, blaming their symptoms on air quality. Cross said she could name four employees who came to work health and developed runny noses and weepy eyes on the job. “This needs to be addressed,” she said.The comments followed a report by Trustees Chairman Philip Sweeney, who said the library is replacing a soaked carpet in the children?s room, has conducted the usual dehumidifying procedures and has hired a consultant to examine roof and ground drainage issues.Rogers said the Department of Public Health examined library air quality in 2007, found no problems and issued a report, which some employees said they were unaware of. She offered to share the report with them. “This is not a secret,” she said.Sweeney said he asked for another state examination Sept. 23, and is waiting for that report.?These (complaints) are out of context,” he said. “I don?t know what else we can do. We can?t have cause and effect if we can?t find something wrong.”?When we get a report back,” he said, “you?ll be the first ones to see it.”Library Trustee Peggy Blass said the solution may lie elsewhere, possibly with dust and dust mites.