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Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, part of the South Orange Community College District, has been reported, in past years, as having serious structural problems and mold, with many complaints of health impacts from the staff. Staff and students were at risk for mild to severe health problems by occupying these buildings, according to all authorities. This is a school that allowed structural defects to exist for years, without taking into account the health of innocent workers and students. In the absence of laws regulating schools with leaks and mold, many can become ill from a school environment without ever knowing why (SMH).
We ask that Saddleback College will fully inform all past building occupants that they may have been exposed to toxic mold, and share all IAQ and Worker's Compensation reports with them, as a further step in their Student Right To Know Policy, under the environment section. This can be published on their website and they may inform students and past staff in a letter, as well.
We call on Saddleback College to take the most stringent steps needed to remediate (this does not include fogging) - while protecting the health of the staff and students and make the buildings safe - or demolish the buildings and start again, with healthy and high-performing buildings (low-chemical, green, and mold-resistant buildings that are not defective from day one). We call on Saddleback College to fix the moisture intrusion first - a remediation without that isn't a remediation. If any remediation has been done, we ask that Saddleback College provide information with a high degree of transparency - and share exactly how it was done, complete with remediation plan, costs and receipts. This could be published on their website.
We also call on Saddleback College to be highly supportive of all staff and students who may have experienced environmental health problems. No one should become chronically ill trying to get an education or while teaching.(SMH)
Read 6 newspaper articles, below, about Saddleback College mold and a mold inspection report from January, 2005.
A search on the Saddleback College website for the word mold produced the following:
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We think Saddleback Students and Staff have the RIGHT-TO-KNOW !
UNDER OSHA GUIDELINES ANY REPORT ISSUED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF A BUILDING MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO WORKERS (SMH).
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/atoz/article_707192.php
Sunday, October 9, 2005
Mission Viejo: Saddleback rehabilitating 4 ill-constructed buildings
The college is spending millions to fix uneven floors, cracking and mold.
By AMANDA STRINDBERG
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Visible structural damage: Repairing large cracks in the floors and walls of the technology building is a high priority.
JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
MISSION VIEJO – Efforts are under way at Saddleback College to repair four buildings that over the years have been plagued with mold growth, cracking foundations and uneven floors.
School officials say faulty construction may have contributed to problems with the buildings, erected between 1973 and 1991.
The college has little recourse because of the age of the buildings, said Raul Villalba, college director of facilities, planning and purchasing.
Officials said all of the problem buildings on campus have been inspected and are safe.
Work is scheduled to begin this summer with the Business and General Studies building. Students and staff will be relocated to portables.
Here is a look at the buildings:
Business and
General Studies
Built: 1986
The problem: Improper installation of windows might be the root of mold growth, preliminary findings from a district-hired environmental consultant show. The windows were put in backwards and the frames have gaps in them, said John Ozurovich, the college's director of facilities, maintenance and operations. Water is draining into the walls, instead of onto the stucco. Records show the contractor, Shirley Bros., is no longer in business.
Temporary fix: The district recently spent $300,000 to clean the building, replace moisture-stained carpet with linoleum, replace mildewed ceiling tiles, remove fungal growth from walls and replace walls with temporary ones that can easily be checked for mold. Air-quality tests will remain routine but have never warranted alarm, school officials said. Staff in offices with mold growth were relocated.
Permanent fix: Replace the windows and reseal the stucco. A final report investigating why water is entering the building and recommendations for a permanent fix is due back this week.
Cost: The district is scheduled to approve funding at the end of the month. No cost estimate is available, officials said. So far $4 million has been spent to fight mold. This includes replacing the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system and a new roof.
Technology and
Applied Sciences
Built: 1991
The problem: Expanding soil is causing uneven floors and cracks in floors and walls.
The fix: Replace the floor slab and some soil. Work won't begin until the business building is completed.
Cost: $1.9 million approved.
Library
Built: 1973
The problem: Expanding soil is causing uneven and cracking floors.
The fix: Replace the floor slab and some of the soil. Work will follow the technology building.
The cost: $1.4 million was approved. A $17 million renovation may be in the library's future if voters approve a state bond next year.
Science/Math building
Built: 1974
The problem: Improper compaction of soil is causing floor cracking. Poor ventilation limits science labs.
The fix: Re-compact the soil and replace the slab. Possibly construct a separate science building or an annex to the existing building. This building is the last in line for work.
The cost: Less than $1 million to fix cracking. No estimate for new science building.
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For Saddleback College Mold Inspection Testing Report Dec. 2004 click here (coming soon)
For Saddleback College Mold Inspection, Abatement, and Clearance Testing Report Jan. 2005 click here
For more newspaper articles about Saddleback College mold in .pdf format ,
Click here January 24, 2007
Click here January 19, 2007
Click here Oct. 21, 2005
Click here Oct. 14, 2005
For October 9, 2005 (see article above, as well, at top of this page)
Click here July 22, 2005
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