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MAY 2 6 1982 Aute of gpw ax CHARLES E. SMITH CIRCUIT JUDGE May -19, 1982 Dr. C. B. Hardin, Jr. 1840 - 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 ,IN. a. BAOK �� P�EC7 In re: Indian River County Courthouse , Dear Dr. Hardin: 224 COUNTY COURTHOUSE VERWOZACH. FLA. 32960 PHONES (305) 862.7871 In regard to your letter to me which was dated April 28, 1982, but was not received by -me until May,B% 1982 and was postmarked March 29, 1982, I want to make the following comments and responses. As to the health problems experienced by the judges and judicial assistants, you stated that none of the specialists have been able to tell us what has been causing our problems. This is not accurate. Dr. Jackson previously had testified before you and the County Commissioners that the problems experienced by Judge Stikelether, his judicial assistant and my former judicial assistant were directly related to the courthouse enviroment. Dr. Jackson could not identify the specific item that was causing the problem. Judges Vocelle, Lewis and myself have been to different ophthalmolo- gists and have all been diagnosed as having the same type of eve problem, caused by an irritant. As we have explained before, this problem 6nly occurs when in the Indian River County Courthouse and no where else. Common sense, then, indicates that the problem has to be something in the courthouse. In regard to our repeated requests for tests for formaldehyde in the vault room and our offices, the last test, I believe, was made some time in July, 1981. The reasons for the continued tests and periodical tests is to determine if the formaldehyde levels are decreasing in the vault room from the previous test results. If the tests in the vault room show that formaldehyde levels are continuing to decrease, then removing the shelving would not be required. However, if the formaldehyde levels are not decreasing, this would indicate that the shelving is still producing formaldehyde and therefore the shelving would haue to be removed and replaced with another type of material. ine reason for testing our offices is to determine the level of formaldehyde, if any, to determine if formaldehyde gas is still a problem and if not, then this would indicate a solvent or unknown gas is continuing to cause the eye irritation and headaches and further tests for other gases and toxic materials should be made. I am greatly concerned that you have `informed me that the, reason for delay in obtaining the additional tests was because your request for assistance was sent to the insurance carrier, who turned you down. I hope that you realize that there may be a conflict between your insurance carrier and county commissioners and the occupants of the courthouse, since on the one hand the insurance carrier does not want to pay amounts under the liability or Workmen's compensation Policies, while on the other hand, the county commissioners should r