wfn.org | Pesticide Closes Church

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3421 notes).

Note 3417 by UMNS on Feb. 6, 1997 at 15:52 Eastern (6207 characters).

SEARCH: crisis, Harper, United Methodist, Kansas, church,
contamination, pesticide, environment
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                           63(10-65-71B){3417}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              Feb. 6. 1997

Pesticide spill closes United 
Methodist Church in Kansas

by Kathy Kruger Noble*

     HARPER, Kansas (UMNS) -- Harper United Methodist Church,
located in southcentral Kansas is in the midst of
an environmental, financial and spiritual crisis.
     On Dec. 22, the 262-member congregation learned that its
building had to be closed because of contamination by a pesticide.
     The Rev. Lee Louderback, the pastor, explained that for the
safety of the staff and the congregation, the insurance company
said "Close the building." The east section had been closed in the
fall.
     Officials for the Kansas State Department of Agriculture
determined the contamination occurred as the church was being
treated in July 1995 for "a massive infestation of termites." It
appears workers drilling holes in the foundations bored into the
heating and air conditioning ducts. When the chemical -- Equity,
which contains chloropyrifos -- was applied, the oil-based
substance entered the system that circulates air throughout the
church.
     This news brought "heartbreak to Harper."  The congregation
had returned to its renovated sanctuary last spring after being
out of it for nine months. Water damage during many years had made
the sanctuary roof and ceiling dangerous.
     The congregation also had replaced its parsonage and paid its
apportionments in full for two years in a row -- a record in
recent years.
     "They had done a fabulous job," Louderback said, "and then
they felt like they had been kicked in the teeth hard. They simply
haven't got any resources left."
     With no financial reserves, the church is facing unexpected
extra monthly bills of $1,500 to $2,000 in the winter as it pays
utilities, insurance and upkeep on two buildings. Over a year that
could total $18,000 to $20,000. Expenses of nearly $20,000 already
have been incurred for testing and inspection to identify the
problem and attorney fees to deal with it. The congregation's
annual budget is $80,000
     The Seventh Day Adventists in Harper turned their building
over to the United Methodists -- except for three hours each
Saturday morning. 
     The Harper United Methodists need signs and other publicity
aids to announce meeting locations to the community. "We just
haven't had the finances to do that yet," Louderback said. "We
wanted to be sure our mission and ministry funds for 1996 were
paid. I'm on top of the world over that."
     In order to have adequate Sunday school, office and meeting
space, the congregation rented a downtown office building. Now
they have the needed space, Louderback said, "but again that's
rent, utilities and telephone. We have double the expenses now
just to survive."
     The congregation has no idea when it will be able to return
to its building. An independent environmental hazards tester has
indicated that the effects of "bad air" are throughout the church.
Clean-up will involve cleaning all surfaces by workers trained to
deal with toxic substances and could involve replacing the entire
heating and air conditioning system. It is not yet known how much
of the chemical may have permeated room dividers, pew cushions,
carpet and other materials -- including Louderback's library.
     The church's insurance policy has a clause excluding coverage
for pesticide spills. "Our only recourse is to seek reimbursement
from Orkin," Louderback said, "and that's way down the road."
     Obtaining money to maintain two facilities is only part of
the problem facing the congregation. Louderback continues to
suffer from severe health problems. 
     In November, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and continues
to be treated and assessed for lung damage. He also has had eye
ulcers, a jaw infection and muscle spasms. His exposure to the
chemical was increased by sitting in a chair located directly over
one of the vents when he worked at his computer.
     Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas has ruled medical expenses
he and other staff members have incurred will have to be covered
by Workmen's Compensation because of the apparent cause.
     Louderback now realizes that allergy-like symptoms he and the
former church secretary began to experience in the fall of 1995
were the first indications of a problem. In November and December
1995, both of them were ill. Other people started complaining of
burning in the nose and throat and headaches when they were in the
church.
     A year later, workers from the company that applied the
chemical returned for a one-year inspection, and "They assured us
that all the termites were dead; it was a great job. There was no
problem," Louderback said.
     The problem was identified when a worker from another company
entered the church to prepare a bid for regular inspection and
pest control service.
     As soon as he walked in, "He said, 'Lee, you've got a major
problem. You've got a pesticide spill,'" Louderback said.
     Inspectors from the State Department of Agriculture were
called in and through air and swab samples confirmed violations of
regulations. More inspections and testing led to the order to
close the church the Dec. 22 services.
     "Some people are really scared to death for myself and their
own health," Louderback said. Their faith has been hurt ... "It's
broken their spirit. They worked so hard to pay for the new
sanctuary. Now they do not know when they will get back in."
     He also said he believes, "God will see us through this, and
we'll be a better and stronger congregation for it ... it's just a
frustrating process going on through it."
                               # # #

     * Noble is the communications specialist for the Kansas West
Annual Conference and editor of Crossfire, the United Methodist
Review, edition of the Kansas West Annual Conference.
     
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