Sharon tests city hall in cancer cases probe

City employees have been expressing concerns about the safety of the building.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- Is there something in city hall that is making employees sick?
A relatively high number of cancer cases among employees and elected officials over the past several years have authorities looking at that possibility.
The city hired Microbac Laboratories Inc. of Erie to come in and test the entire building for carcinogens, radon, diesel fuel fumes from firetrucks kept in the basement level, mold and other toxic substances.
The testing was done nearly three months ago and officials expect a report on the findings next week.
Mayor David O. Ryan said employees began to voice concerns about the building when the late councilmen Lou Rotunno and George Gulla developed cancer.
Although, as part-time councilmen, neither man worked in the building, both spent a fair amount of time there over a period of several years.
Rotunno, 60, died in November; Gulla, 69, died in January.
Others stricken
At least three other employees have died of cancer and at least three other cases of cancer among people working in the building have been reported in recent years, Ryan said. They ranged in age from the early 40s to early 60s.
"We have to make sure there isn't something in here causing these health problems," the mayor said.
If the building contains some harmful substance, it may have to be vacated until the problem can be corrected, Ryan said.
City hall isn't old by municipal standards.
It was built in 1978, financed by a $2.7 million federal grant, in an urban renewal area.
The site, now identified as 155 W. Connelly Boulevard, was once a residential area known as Ohio Street.