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A second round of testing shows a continuing mold problem at Longstreet School, Daytona, FL, according to Dr. David Straus. SMH wonders if they are doing repairs only or a proper mold remediation. Go to our Information - Remediation page to see what this SHOULD look like. Carpentry and carpet removal and replacement do not constitute mold remediation and may explain the continued high mold spore counts as well as continued or new illness.
February 16, 2008
Mold still problem at Longstreet
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlEAST04021608.htm
By LINDA TRIMBLE
Education Writer
DAYTONA BEACH -- A second round of tests in four renovated classrooms at Longstreet Elementary continued to show fungus and mold spores in the air, prompting school officials to put off a decision on if and when classes there would resume.
Two of the rooms showed higher spore counts in the Feb. 7 tests, according to a report released Friday, while the counts were down in two of the rooms. Outdoor air samples showed much higher spore counts the second time around.
The first air tests were taken Jan. 24 after three teachers reported a strong odor, respiratory irritations and other symptoms they believe are related to exposure to a moldy carpet that got wet during a recent renovation project.
Classes have been moved to other rooms, the carpet has since been replaced with vinyl tile and the rooms and air handlers have been cleaned.
Area Superintendent Stan Whitted said Friday school officials are awaiting a report from a Tampa consultant who visited the school Feb. 8 before deciding what to do next.
"The second report indicates there's still a mold problem," said David Straus, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Texas Tech University who has done extensive research on mold. He spoke in a telephone interview Friday after reviewing the Longstreet test results at the request of The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Robert Maglievaz, an environmental health specialist for the Volusia County Health Department, said Friday the rooms where the odor complaints originated appeared to be "in pretty good shape" when he inspected the school Feb. 8.
"I didn't see anything that concerned me in those rooms," he said in a Friday telephone interview. "They were spotless. I didn't detect any unusual odor. . . . There were no visual signs of mold."
Both Straus and Maglievaz said the key to solving indoor mold problems is identifying the source of moisture intrusion in the building and fixing it, then replacing any mold-contaminated materials.
While at Longstreet, Maglievaz conducted a semi-annual inspection of the entire school. His report, released Friday, turned up flaking paint on walkway covers and moisture damaged ceiling tiles and drywall in the media center and computer lab and "mold-like growth" in some areas of those rooms.
Repairs have already started, according to a school district response to his report.
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