Congressman John D. Dingell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 18, 2005

Washington, DC - A bipartisan group of Michigan Members from both the United States House and Senate have asked the Inspector General of the United States Department of Transportation to investigate the black mold remediation effort at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport air traffic control tower. The eight Members who signed the letter are Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15), Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (MI-13), Congressman Sander Levin (MI-12), Congressman John Conyers Jr. (MI-14), Senator Carl Levin, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), and Congressman Joe Schwarz (MI-7).

Over the past year, air traffic controllers at the airport’s control tower have been getting sick while on the job with illnesses related to black mold in the workplace. The Members of Congress are concerned for the health and safety of the air traffic controllers and the safety of the general flying public who depend on air traffic controllers being healthy and able to perform their job safely and effectively.

“Over a year has gone by since black mold was discovered at the tower and air traffic controllers are still getting sick,” said Representative John D. Dingell. “We need answers as to why this is so and how it will be effectively resolved.”

"This situation not only jeopardizes the health and financial well-being of air traffic controllers, but it also affects the safety of airline passengers. Prompt action must be taken to eliminate this problem," said Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. "Given the difficulties we are experiencing in resolving this issue, it is important that we get a thorough and impartial assessment of the FAA's remediation efforts. The House Appropriations Committee must consider this information in evaluating the FAA's performance when the agency presents its budget request for 2007."

"Where people's health is concerned, it should not take this long for the FAA to resolve such a serious workplace safety issue," said Representative Sander Levin.

“The issue of black mold at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport must be addressed. Every minute that passes puts employees and the flying public at further risk,” said Representative John Conyers. “We need to know what remediation efforts have taken place and whether or not they have been effective.”

"I am very concerned to hear from those working in the tower that the mold problem continues to be unresolved and look forward to a comprehensive report from the OIG as to how the FAA can remedy this situation once and for all," Senator Carl Levin said.

"Frankly speaking, we need more information about the FAA's attempts to remediate this problem,” said Congressman Joe Schwarz. “We need to know that the government has done all it can to ensure the workplace safety and health of our air-traffic controllers, and at the present time, the evidence is far less than abundant. Safe air transportation requires healthy air-traffic controllers.”

The Members want answers to the following questions:

• Have remediation efforts concluded and, if so, why are the controllers continuing to fall ill?
• Has a proper inspection of the remediation efforts taken place?
• Has any remediation occurred in the elevator shaft at the air traffic control tower?

A copy of the letter is attached.