Concern is mounting among employees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chicago office as Legionella, the bacteria responsible for causing Legionnaires’ disease, has been detected in the building's drinking water. The situation is compounded by the discovery of elevated levels of lead and copper - elements known to pose a significant threat to human health. These findings came to light following routine testing conducted at the Metcalf Federal Building in the Loop, as reported by ABC7 Chicago.
"It's not only Legionella, but also lead and copper. And there is no safe level of lead," said Loreen Targos of the American Federation Of Government Employees Local 704 in a statement obtained by ABC7 Chicago. The discovery has prompted the union to file a grievance against the agency, which they claim has not acted swiftly enough to resolve the issue. An EPA spokesperson insisted, however, that "EPA leadership is committed to ensuring that all its staff work in a safe environment," and that employees have been equipped with safe drinking water while remediation plans are being developed by the General Services Administration.
The situation, detailed in a Chicago Sun-Times report, indicates that the problem may be more pervasive than initial appearances suggest. The union representing over 800 EPA workers, including many experts on environmental hazards and human health threats, has discovered that a significant number of untested water sources may also be contaminated. "Many sources at the Metcalfe Building have not been tested for Legionella, lead and copper," the union expressed in a communication to the EPA.
In response, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a Chicago Democrat, told the Chicago Sun-Times, "I would certainly urge management to do everything and take every precaution they possibly can to make sure the staff and anyone who comes in contact with the situation are safe." He recommended telework, or work from alternative locations as feasible solutions if the issues are not promptly rectified. Additionally, the union has advocated for shutting down all drinking water sources and implementing alternative safety measures. The General Services Administration, responsible for the maintenance of federal buildings, minimized the health risks, stating that "most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick" and that they are working on monitoring, and implementing water quality management strategies.
So far, no cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported among EPA employees stationed at the Metcalfe Building, but the presence of Legionella in a federal agency tasked with safeguarding the environment and public health is particularly disconcerting. Union officials, as Francisco Arcaute with AFGE Local 704 indicated to ABC7 Chicago, are unsatisfied with the current actions, noting a lack of comprehensive testing and communication with employees regarding the contamination.
