Several employees in the OU Office of Admissions expressed concern about their health after being notified of possible mold contamination in the workplace.

Buchanan Hall, which is undergoing renovations this month, houses many student services offices, including admissions, financial aid and the bursar.

Some employees in the admissions office said they had seen a black substance on boards being pulled up when construction began. However, physical plant employees have said the substance is not mold, but employees have expressed disagreement.

A meeting was held Friday with representatives and employees from the admissions office to discuss the severity of the problem, and how it should be handled.

“I was just given a mask for my safety, but I have been sitting in this cloud of dust and possible mold for two days now, ” said Beth Rowell, arts and sciences junior and admissions adviser.

After the meeting, the construction crew set up a large plastic tube that would run outside, in an attempt blow all of the dusty air out of the office.

“Seeing them set up a tube to filter the bad air outside doesn’t make me feel good about everyone sitting in here breathing this dusty air for the past two days,” said assistant admissions director Amy Shaw.

The mold is suspected to be the result of a major flood that admissions had when a water pipe broke in Buchanan Hall over winter break 2008.

Many individuals who moved from their normal locations in Buchanan Hall feel relieved they don’t have to sit in the dusty office.

“I am glad now that I have been moved out of the office, because I don’t want to be possibly risking my health sitting in the dusty air,” admissions assistant Stacy Stone said.

With the deconstruction part of the office renovations almost complete, there is new flooring going in that should eliminate the mold contamination. However, some in Buchanan Hall are still wondering the effects of working in such an unsafe and unhealthy atmosphere over the last few days.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mold is a naturally existing substance, but it can be harmful to humans. When airborne mold spores are present in large quantities, they can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections, and other respiratory problems. Continued exposure to mold may result in nasal or sinus congestion, eye, nose, or throat irritations, and adverse effects to the nervous system.