Boston school mold

[Guest guest]

While the Mass. Public Health folks do a study, kids and teachers are sick. All they have to do is ask Dr. Gerberding, head of the CDC, about the health issues of mold. Read her attached letter to me from last October.

The Massachusetts Legislature has had an opportunity for the past two plus years to enact Toxic Mold legislation that I wrote. Sadly, they don't care about the health and safety of Massachusetts citizens and children. They discuss feel good legislation that does nothing!

I wish there were a recall mechanism in Massachusetts to recall the entire Legislature for failure to do anything to protect us. I would include the Dept. of Public Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection in the recall.

Ken Moulton

Mold an expensive problem for schools

by Rothstein

Friday, September 12, 2003

Mold growing in Boston Public Schools will likely continue to be a problem until millions in rehabilitation work is done, experts say.

This week's mold-induced closing of the Ohrenberger Elementary School in West Roxbury was only the most recent example of how the fungal growth and poor building conditions that go along with it interfere with learning.

``We think it's a big contributor (to asthma) in Boston,'' said Zotter of the Boston Urban Asthma Coalition. ``Schools have mold and poor ventilation and dust, and it's that combination of things that trigger asthma.''

Mold bloomed in schools across the state this summer, thriving after weeks of heat, unabating humidity and frequent rain. Nearly 25 of the state's 489 districts asked for mold help, more than ever before, said Department of Public Health Assistant Commissioner Suzanne Condon.

The DPH considers mold to be such a serious problem in schools it rates it the second biggest threat to indoor air quality after poor ventilation systems.

That's no surprise to English High junior a Roche, 16, of Jamaica Plain, whose asthma makes her sensitive to poor air quality.

``When I can't breathe right I have to go to the nurse. I can't concentrate on the work, I'm too worried trying to breathe,'' she said.

Advocates say the Boston Public Schools' aging buildings are prime breeding grounds for mold and other air quality problems. A recent City Council report pegged the cost of modernizing school buildings at $150 million.

BPS facilities management director Roy said mold ``wasn't that big a problem,'' minimized by the relatively few schools with mold-producing carpet installed.

But problems like leaky roofs, bursting steam pipes and bad ventilation were behind nearly a half-dozen cases of mold from last school year, city inspection records show.

To better understand the problem the city began in July what are supposed to be bi-annual building inspections.

Separately, the state DPH is in the middle of a study that will determine if Hub schools aggravate kids' asthma.