A DEATH knell appears to have finally been sounded for the Hamilton Police Station after a recent study discovered high counts of mould throughout the building.

A report produced by Bermuda Water Consultants (BWC) Ltd. blamed the inferior air quality on the poor state of the building and gave a list of recommendations on how best to cope with the problem in the short term.

An Indoor Air Quality Assessment prepared for the Bermuda Police Service highlighted a number of infringements encouraging the spread of mould.

Among them: water damage throughout the property, easily noticed on wooden bookshelves, cardboard boxes, carpets and ceilings; exposed ceilings in office spaces and, in both the men’s and ladies’ bathrooms, a heavy build-up of dust and mould on blinds. Air-conditioning units sit improperly fitted in windows while condensation from vents drips onto floors.

The problems are evident throughout the four-storey building.

According to technicians, “significant external structural cracks” caused severe leakage throughout the structure which allowed a build-up of surface moulds. And they cited poor ventilation in the property as contributing to a high incidence of airborne moulds.

“Overall, the Hamilton Police Station located on Parliament Street is in a state of poor repair,” the report states.

“This includes internal wall cracks along with significant external structural cracks leading to water intrusion. In addition, each of the floors shows evidence of problems (such as leaks and water-damaged ceiling tiles and carpets), which in turn lead directly to poor air quality.”

BWC surveyed the station on three occasions last year. A visual assessment of the fourth floor was conducted on November 7 during which air and tape samples were made and swabs were taken from surfaces. The remainder of the building was similarly examined three weeks later, with follow-up tests conducted on the fourth floor on December 14.

The methodology was explained in the report as such: “Airborne mould within outdoor air varies greatly from day to day and is dependant upon weather factors such as wind speed, wind direction and humidity.

“In order to ascertain the quality of the indoor air, comparisons are made between the control and the indoor samples. Indoor samples should be equal to, or less than, the levels of outdoor airborne moulds.

“Based on visual observations within the Hamilton Police Station, two air samples and five surface samples were collected. Results of sampling on both November 23 and December 14 indicate that the air inside the building has a greater level of airborne mould than seen in ambient outdoor air.

“Results from the air-conditioning systems indicate that the air-conditioner vents may be contributing, as a significant build-up of mould and dust was observed.

“Sampling carried out on the water-damaged wall between the second and ground floors and the water-damaged bookcase in the fourth floor Criminal Investigation Department (CID) main, indicated no fungal growth however the fourth floor CID evidence room shelves were tested with results indicating that mould is present within the room and contributing to the musty odour.”

The findings follow a 1978 account by UK officials from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, which reportedly condemned the station because it contained hazards which placed officers at risk of serious injury.

Government announced its intention to construct a new station in 2001 and set aside $11 million for the project in the February 2002 Budget.

Then-Public Safety Minister Terry Lister expressed his disgust with conditions at both the Hamilton Station and Magistrates’ Court, insisting officers would receive a new location in keeping with a long-standing Progressive Labour Party pledge.

In 2003, then-Works & Engineering Minister David Burch said the construction remained a priority. The project received Planning approval in November of that year.

Further promises were made - by Finance Minister Paula Cox and then-Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton - and in 2005 $39.5 million was pledged towards the new buildings.

Yesterday, Sen. Burch, who is now the Public Safety & Housing Minister, refused to comment on the report or plans for the new station.

Police Commissioner George Jackson did not respond to questions by press time.