Delaware's Public Health Department tests Rehoboth Elementary School

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http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/reshealthtests061303.html

Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Public Health Department tests Rehoboth Elementary School

By Amy Reardon

A parent’s concerns about mold prompted Delaware Health and Social Services Division of Public Health (DPH) to investigate the indoor air quality of Rehoboth Elementary School June 9.

ph’s family doctor gave her a note saying her son “should not return to Rehoboth Elementary School due to his health and repeated sinus infections.”

“I have no proof and no facts that his sinus infections are caused by mold,” said ph. “I just hope the district will test for it. My son will not be returning to the school. I just want parents to be aware if their children become ill.”

Branch Chief of Environmental Health Evaluation and Toxicology Dr. Gerald Llewellyn and Environmental Epidemiologist Yocher performed a general indoor inspection and found no gross mold and no suspicious odors in the building.

An inspection based on sight and smell, however, does not guarantee the building is free from a high concentration of indoor mold.

“A general inspection is the first step,” said Dr. Hooman Sootodeh, of Enviroscience Inc. with a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford University. “You really can’t rely on visual or smell alone. I’ve been in freshly painted rooms with new carpets and no visible sign of mold. When we tested, we found thousands and thousands of spores.”

Llewellyn and Yocher toured the building and tested the indoor air quality in terms of temperature, relative humidity, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, lower explosive limit, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, ultra fine particulates and volatile organic compounds. While they did not test for mold specifically, they looked for signs that would indicate mold growth.

“Mold needs a constant water source or it can’t grow, and we saw no evidence of ongoing water leaks,” said Yocher. “We didn’t find any indication to do extensive mold testing: no mold growth and no musty smell.”

DPH removed two water stained ceiling tiles and did not find mold on the backs. Llewellyn also investigated tiles the school removed prior to his visit.

“I saw them, smelled and touched them,” said Llewellyn. “I saw no gross mold, which is a good sign. The water marks were from old leaks.”

Without a constant water source, mold will become dormant, according to Sootodeh.

“The mold is not viable without a water source, but it never truly dies,” said Sootodeh. “It can still get into the air and be just as allergenic as live or viable mold. ly, relying on your nose is a naive approach; the only time you really smell mold is when dried-out or dormant mold gets a new source of water and the mold begins gassing-off and colonizing again.”

DPH suggested the school investigate the sources of the old water leaks.

“We found evidence of drips from condensation on pipes, water has leaked in from windows being open and leaks from pipes,” said Llewellyn. “But it’s not extensive. It’s about average, maybe even below average for schools. We asked them to correct the problems.”

Llewellyn estimated testing for mold could be several thousands of dollars.

“Good mold testing is not inexpensive. Even though the building is old, we did not deem it necessary to do more testing. I feel that money would be better spent cleaning up,” said Llewellyn

Llewellyn and Yocher suggested insulating pipes to prevent condensation dripping onto ceiling tiles. They also suggested cleaning classrooms with HEPA vacuum cleaners and removing rotting leaves from a handicap entrance.

“We met with a handful of teachers who had health concerns, but there really aren’t enough people with respiratory symptoms to warrant more testing,” said Llewellyn. “Allergies can be caused by several different things. We found a fair amount of dust. Dust could be an issue.”

The district sent a letter home to parents explaining the investigation. It reads:

“The physical inspection and physical parameters measured during the site visit reveals no gross mold, no suspicious odors and no chemical fumes present. Dr. Llewellyn did recommend attention to some housekeeping issues related to the cleanliness of the building. A list of general housekeeping suggestions made by Dr. Llewellyn is available in the main office and will be addressed by appropriate staff. No actions beyond that are anticipated.”

“When it comes to issues about indoor air quality it is better to deal with them as quickly and forthright as possible,” said Superintendent Dr. Brandenberger. “And I think we have done that.”