Youngstown State University

October 10, 2002

October 8, 2002

YSU Mold Testing Results

Results are in from mold testing done at Youngstown State University early

last month.

Tests conclude that black mold is not present in the air inside Beeghly

Physical Education Center. However, black mold is present in some

classrooms, but is confirmed under drywall and ceiling tile.

The Director of the University's Environmental and Occupation Health and

Safety says they'll hire a professional contractor to remove the mold while

making sure it doesn't spread.

Toxic Mold at YSU

Nine classrooms in YSU's Beeghly Hall are sealed off just as a precaution.

Students have always known it's a damp, musty building. But we're not

talking about garden variety mildew here. What turned up was a black mold

known as Stachybotrys.

Len is YSU's Director of Environmental Safety, " We did have some

complaints. But we were looking for the problem before that...it just

happened that it coincided. " Youngstown State began probing it's buildings

for mold problems because people are suddenly realizing how serious it can

be.

In the past year, Stachybotrys has been singled out as the cause for a

variety of health problems. Mold was found inside the Hubbard Police

station. It also turned up in offices of the Trumbull County Health

Department, not to mention any number of ordinary homes. One family in Niles

found their home was so far gone they had to tear it down.

At YSU's Beeghly Hall they won't have to go that far, but it may take a

specialty contractor to properly seal the affected area and remove the mold

without spreading the spores to other areas.

But you may be wondering, why are we hearing about this problem so much

lately? Stachybotrys is not new. It's just that the technology for finding

it and linking it to symptoms is so much better than in the past. " It just

means that you've had a water leak and mold started to grow and now you need

to contend with it...you're seeing that all throughout the county. "

Classes in the affected rooms will be moved to Fedor Hall and other campus

locations as of Friday. Tests to determine just how serious the problem is

will take another couple weeks.

We want to stress students have reported no serious health problems that

could be linked to this mold.

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