The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the temporary closure of a damaged laboratory building at its renowned research site in Maryland, following

a federal complaint lodged by employees concerning unsafe working conditions. The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), the country's largest farm research site, became the subject of complaints filed with the Office of the Special Counsel, which safeguards federal whistleblowers. The employees alleged that inadequate maintenance practices were undermining experiments and jeopardizing the safety of workers.

In December, the building suffered a significant flood that resulted in damage to research, data, and equipment. Despite independent testing revealing the presence of mold and asbestos, staff members were asked to return to the building for cleanup operations as a cost-saving measure, as previously reported by Reuters. However, in an email sent on May 26, BARC Director Howard Zhang informed the staff that only essential employees would have access to the damaged building after May 30, and they would be provided with personal protective equipment.

To facilitate the closure and relocation process, the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, which oversees BARC, extended the closure date to June 2. A spokesperson for the USDA stated that only seven employees would have access to the building, a significant reduction from the 52 employees who had been working there on an as-needed basis since the flood occurred.

The USDA plans to address the damages by replacing flooring, drywall, and ceiling tiles, as well as improving ventilation and exhaust hood operations. A Reuters investigation revealed that nearly all exhaust hoods in the building were not up to code. The research building is home to laboratories focusing on various areas, including climate change and invasive pests.

In his email, Director Zhang indicated that offices and laboratories would be relocated by June 14, with essential employees including those responsible for maintaining insect colonies and providing IT support. The USDA's decision to close the damaged building temporarily reflects its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees while addressing the maintenance issues that have compromised research activities at BARC. Photo by Michael Kranewitter, Wikimedia commons.