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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a branch of the CDC and OSHA, inspected Hilton Head Elementary School for a mold problem, in 2003. This is their extensive report.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2003-0039-2914.pdf
NIOSH HEALTH HAZARD EVALUATION REPORT:
HETA #2003-0039-2914
Hilton Head Elementary School
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
September 2003
What NIOSH did:
Reviewed the report from an environmental
survey performed by a consultant contracted by
the Beaufort County School District.
• Visually inspected the school buildings and
heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning
(HVAC) systems, looking for evidence of mold
contamination and water incursion.
• Measured temperature, relative humidity, carbon
dioxide level, and carpet water activity.
• Collected fungal spore count and endotoxin air
samples and bulk samples of ductwork insulation
and ceiling tile.
• Administered a health questionnaire to
employees
What NIOSH Found
• Carbon dioxide levels were excessive in some
rooms, particularly in the Yellow building.
• Carpet water activity level was high in one
Yellow building room.
• Absolute airborne fungal spore counts were
lower indoors than outdoors; however, the
predominant fungal taxa in the Yellow and Blue
buildings differed from the Red building and
outdoors.
• Fungal contamination was identified in the bulk
ductwork insulation sample.
• Work-related lower respiratory symptoms, which
occurred at least once weekly for the last month,
were 2 to 3 times more frequent in Yellow and
Blue building employees than in office workers
in a national study.
• Wheeze and work-related cough that occurred
within the last year were 2 times more frequent
in Yellow and Blue building employees than in
Red building employees.
• Current asthma was 3 times more frequent in
female middle-aged school employees who had
never smoked than expected based on national
rates.
• Watery/itchy eyes and sore/dry throat symptoms
that were work-related and occurred within the
last year were 2 times more frequent in Yellow
and Blue building employees than in Red
building employees.
What the School District Can Do
• Promptly identify and repair all causes of water
leakage through roof and walls.
• Modify HVAC systems to maintain acceptable
carbon dioxide and relative humidity levels
throughout the year.
• Implement HVAC system routine maintenance
schedules.
• Inspect ductwork insulation for mold
contamination and, if found, remove
contaminated insulation.
What Employees Can Do
• Report water incursion to management promptly.
• Seek medical evaluation for persistent
symptoms, especially those that are work-related.
•
What To Do For More Information:
We encourage you to read the full report. If you
would like a copy, either ask your health and
safety representative to make you a copy or call
1-513-841-4252 and ask for
HETA Report
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