|
Mold sparks concern as high school opens
http://www.yourmoontownship.com/corymoonrecord/article/mold-sparks-concern-high-school-opens+
by Amanda Hartle
Staff Writer
September 6, 2007
A stairwell and two bathrooms at Moon Area High School were closed for the first week of school after a toxic mold that can cause coughing, wheezing and skin rashes was discovered growing in the building's west hall.
District officials are working quickly to clear the building of the mold, known as stachybotrys, which was apparently caused by a leaking water pipe.
"We are aggressively addressing the mold problem. Our number one goal is to make sure the school is safe for students, staff and visitors," said Michael Hauser, high school principal.
Air and surface mold testing was performed last week in the stairwell by Professional Service Industry Inc., and results and a recommendation were returned on Friday, said Donna Milanovich, district superintendent.
"(PSI) felt the building was safe to open because the level of that mold inside was lower than the level of that mold outside. They didn't tell us to close the school. The impacted area is small."
The impacted area grew on Monday when more mold was found on a boys' bathroom ceiling adjacent to the stairwell.
District officials closed the girls bathroom next door and encased both in plastic sheeting as precautions until a detailed plan could be developed. That was to happen during a Wednesday meeting.
An Allegheny County Health Department inspector also was to examine the mold on Wednesday following a Tuesday complaint, said Guillermo Cole, health department spokesperson.
"We will ... see the problem and make sure they take steps to remove the mold permanently."
Mold testing also will be done throughout the high school building, where more than 900 students learn and more than 150 teachers and staff teach and work daily.
Stachybotrys is a green-black slimy mold, also called black mold, found on water-damaged building components like ceiling tile, insulation, wallpaper and wood, said Cole. For it to grow, an area must be wet for at least several days.
The fungi produces mycotoxins, a toxic chemical that, if inhaled, can cause runny nose, irritated eyes and throat and diarrhea.
It can be particularly bothersome for asthma or allergies sufferers, while in those with weakened immune systems it can cause lung bleeding. Simply touching it also may cause a skin rash.
It also is listed as one of the main culprits in sick building syndrome.
Mold removers see stachybotrys nearly every day in homes and businesses, according to Joe Katzfey of Preferred Restoration, Wexford.
Cleaning up mold could take days or weeks after testing."It is not something that occurs in this area naturally."
Login or register to post comments Printer friendly version send to friend 238 reads Posted under: news
Decades old mold
Submitted by MoonTwpResident on September 8, 2007 - 3:24pm.
Too bad mold has been in the building for decades. And what about the lunchrooms having garbage cans collecting polluted water that drips from the broken roof? Shall we mention that previous administrators have told custodians to simple replace ceiling tiles that have mold on them?
Login or register to post comments |
