Police have been told that while Hamilton Police Station has "active" mould growth, the problem does not pose "innate concerns for the safety and health" of staff.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Wright made the remarks after receiving a preliminary report from Bermuda Water Consultants (BWC). That followed concerns raised last week about working conditions at the station, which has been listed as a condemned building since the 1970s.

This newspaper reported last Friday how US toxicology expert Jack Thrasher hired by a Police officer who's suing Government said officers should wear masks and the building should be torn down

Dr. Thrasher and leading environmental scientist Michael Pugliese conducted tests at the premises wearing masks themselves. They were acting on behalf of Detective Constable Emmerson Donald, who believes his kidney and internal problems have been caused by working in mouldy conditions at Hamilton and Somerset Police stations.

He is fighting to have Government found liable for his illness, with lawyer Richard Horseman acting on his behalf. The experts also took samples at Somerset Police Station, but found it to be in better condition than Hamilton.

They are awaiting the full results of their tests before pressing ahead with the court case. But meanwhile, Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva asked that BWC who have worked for the Police in the past conduct their own independent tests at both stations.

Sharing the preliminary results with officers, civilian staff and the media, Assistant Commissioner Paul Wright said of Hamilton Police Station yesterday: "Based on the results, BWC is satisfied that air quality, in general and in particular with respect to mould, is acceptable. There is obvious water damage and active growth on some surfaces within the building; however, there are no innate concerns for the safety and health of staff members working in the building."

He said of Somerset Police Station: "Based on the results of the visual assessment, together with the surface and air test results, BWC is of the opinion that the conditions at Somerset are good."

Mr. Wright added: "Once the formal report is received we will share the findings with the Bermuda Police Association executive and ensure that the Health and Safety Committees perform any recommendations from BWC without delay. In the meantime, it is certainly relieving to know that the conditions at the stations are safe for our staff to continue working without any further anxiety that may have been caused this weekend."

Det. Con. Donald is being supported by the Bermuda Police Association. Chairman Grant Tompkins said last week that working conditions at Hamilton Station have been "a situation of concern for a number of years".

Responding to yesterday's update from Mr. Wright, he said: "Obviously we need to see the report. We're going to be in consultation with management with regards to this, and also meet with BWC, and then we will go from there. For us, it's all about finding out the facts."

The meeting will take place later this week.