Water sources in some of downtown Chicago’s federal buildings, including a children’s daycare, have tested positive for Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, as well as elevated levels of lead and copper. According to a report by
the Chicago Sun-Times
, the affected buildings are the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, and the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, along with the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse Building in Rockford. U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, along with several representatives, have called on the Government Services Administration to provide a timeline for remediation.
The situation took a turn for the press after routine testing revealed that harmful contaminants resided in the very places where Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff work. As reported by
ABC7 Chicago
, there has yet to be a case of Legionnaires’ disease diagnosed, however, the presence of the bacteria poses a significant concern for those within the buildings. “It’s not only Legionella, but also lead and copper. And there is no safe level of lead,” Loreen Targos of the American Federation Of Government Employees Local 704 told
ABC7 Chicago
.
The General Services Administration, which is responsible for managing these federal properties, confirmed in August that it was addressing the contamination threat. However, the agency has remained silent on progress updates in the weeks that followed. In their communication with the agency, Durbin and his peers expressed concerns specifically regarding protecting the health of children and workers against airborne Legionella particles.
“Legionella is dangerous when it becomes airborne. So, our bathrooms are now a hazard. We want to be able to work from home until they are capable environment to work in. Right now, that’s not happening,”
Targos explained
, indicating that the government’s response has been less than satisfactory. Despite the unfolding of events, an EPA spokesperson has assured that staff are provided with safe drinking water and that EPA leadership is committed to ensuring a secure work environment. Concerning the uncovered contamination, federal employees have pressed into filing grievances, by virtue of concerns connected with the potential long-term health effects from exposure to these pollutants, the lawmakers stated in their letter as reported by the Sun-Times.
Union officials argue that not all fixtures within these buildings have been tested, raising the specter of unknown risk. Francisco Arcaute, with AFGE Local 704, told
ABC 7 Chicago
, “Certain areas of the building you’ll see signs that say, you know, ‘do not use,’ or something to that effect and they are being addressed. That’s what we are told.” With the situation still unfolding and the extent of contamination and risk not yet fully clarified, concerns among federal employees and the public at large remain heightened as they await definitive action to resolve these health threats.
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