California IN BRIEF : OAKLAND : Several Courthouse Workers Get Sick

Alameda County Courthouse employees say they are worried about possible health risks in the building after a string of illnesses and the sudden death of a worker. Some blame the earthquake repairs being done on the 56-year-old building. However, county officials maintain the construction project is safe and that none of the ailments will lead to long-term health problems. But workers are wary of the situation, particularly because of last month’s outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the Social Security Administration building in Richmond. Within the past two weeks, Alameda County workers, many of whom work in the clerk/recorder’s office, have suffered from headaches, nausea, numbness, dizziness, hot and cold flashes and bronchitis. Frank Murella, 37, a microfilm clerk, left work on Sept. 6 with no apparent signs of illness, but died two days later at his home, employees said. The coroner could not determine if Murella’s condition was work-related, but said he died of heart problems and congestion of the liver and lungs. Earlier in the week, about a dozen employees left work after becoming ill. They attributed the illness to chemical fumes.