Clairmont Campus fights series of mold complaints

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http://www.emorywheel.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/02/11/3e490e6e289f6

Clairmont Campus fights series of mold complaintsBy ZinamonAsst. News EditorFebruary 11, 2003

College senior Menna Bizuneh is allergic to mold, yet it occupied a cubic foot of her bedroom ceiling for more than four months.

After filing four maintenance work orders, a repairman finally arrived at her Clairmont Campus apartment in mid-January. It took him three days to cut a rectangular hole into her ceiling, remove the mold and install new sheetrock.

The mold problems in several Clairmont Campus apartments add to concerns that some elements of Clairmont Campus were poorly constructed. A handicapped Law School student, Kami Barker, has sued Emory, alleging her Clairmont apartment is unfit for handicapped living.

The mold affected 32 windows and four closets on Clairmont Campus, according to an e-mail from Clairmont Campus Area Director Kathy . The e-mail did not state how many apartments were affected by mold.

"Our maintenance and custodial staffs addressed each [mold] situation as it presents itself. In the case of the four closets and 32 windows ... the areas were completely cleaned with a solution of diluted bleach, which is very effective in eliminating and preventing the growth of mold," wrote.

Food, moisture, certain temperature ranges and incongruencies between inside and outside temperatures could all contribute mold's outburst, said.

said another reason for the growing mold could be the Southeast's current climate.

"We have recently come off of a drought in our part of the country, which has been followed by significant amounts of rainfall," said.

College senior Theresa Lesnik and her roommates discovered mold in their apartment when they returned last month from winter break. Mold had spread onto a suitcase in one of their closets, as well as a pillow near the window in the living room and several windowsills in a bedroom.

The roommates entered a work order and watched workmen carve a hole in their living room wall. The maintenance crew searched to find mold inside the walls, then covered the hole with a two by three-and-one-half foot wooden board.

Lesnick said maintenance gave the roommates a two cubic foot dehumidifier to draw excess moisture out of the air.

"The dehumidifier must be on all day, every day, according to maintenance instructions," Lesnick said. "Workmen come back to check [on the situation] periodically and make sure that everything's working."

Bizuneh, the College senior who is allergic to mold, said she first reported mold problems in September and was dismayed at how long it took for a repairman to arrive.

"I think the process took so long because of bureaucracy and denial among various departments," Bizuneh said. "No one wanted to take the blame."

Bizuneh said putting work orders in continuously was a hassle; however, she was pleased with the results. "Once they did fix it, the workman did a really great job."

Biznueh's roommate, College senior Stacey York, said mold problems are just one concern for residents, who have lodged their complaints on Clairmont's LearnLink conference.

"Looking around, too, you can see that these apartments were constructed in a hurry," York said. "The grout in the bathroom tiles is only half-filled and the sealant is sloppy."

said tips for maintaining a mold-free living area were included in the January edition of Newstone, the Clairmont Campus newsletter.

Keeping windows closed and locked and turning on vent fans in the bathroom while taking a shower were a few of the suggestions mentioned.

Residents can also combat mold by keeping things dry and wiping up excess moisture, said.

Windows and other construction elements have not been declared faulty, said. An outside engineering firm will serve as consultants to Emory and aid in its investigation to discover the problem's source.

"We have no reason to consider anything faulty or to hold anyone liable," said.

said if Clairmont residents experience any problems, mold-related or not, they should immediately submit a work order by calling or e-mailing the Community Office and maintenance staff will respond to the problem.

Director of Residence Life Brit Katz could not be reached as of press time Sunday night.

Staff writer Chanmi Kim contributed to this story.