The Center for School Mold Help

This Missouri school district is making the mistake of "deep cleaning" a Kindergarten classroom for mold problems, and installing a new roof.

This approach, seen often, does not constitute mold remediation - they obviously have no idea what to do to address the mold, like many school districts - or, perhaps they do, but are trying the "cheap fix" method that not only doesn't work, but further endangers the students and staff by stirring up mold colonies, applying dangerous chemicals or "enzymes", not addressing the hidden mold, and leaving contaminated materials in place. They will likely do cosmetic work in this classroom, which amounts to covering up the mold - this only pleases the eye and makes the problem worse in the short and long run (SMH).

For what SHOULD be done, go to our Remediation page.

KBIA Local  
 
Following Up on Benton Elementary Mold

(click URL to hear audio for radio news item)
http://publicbroadcasting.net/kbia/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1261943&sectionID=1

(by) Valerie Chew

 
COLUMBIA, MO (2008-04-17) School officials say they are taking measures to address the mold issue in Benton Elementary School.

Jack Jensen is Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education. He says students of Room 100 are now relocated to a different classroom.

"We did need to do some things. One of them was to deep clean the room which we should have got on a little quicker than what we did. But the other suggestions were to repair the ceiling or the roof so that moisture could not come into the building. And also address the issue of air quality in that room."

He added that they are replacing the old heating system and adding air-conditioning to the building.

Karla DeSpain is a member of the Board of Education. She says the issue of mold is not just targeted in that one classroom.

"It is an issue for schools all over the country. It's not just Columbia. And most of it has to do with the age of the school, and again, leaking roofs and things like that."

DeSpain says identifying sources of mold formation like leaks in roofs and walls can help serve as a preventive measure.

Officials at Benton Elementary School did not return phone calls.


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