Test reveals mold is growing in Grafton Village Elementary

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Grafton positive for mold

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/072005/07282005/117923

Test reveals mold is growing in Grafton Village Elementary's air

ducts

Date published: 7/28/2005

Fredericksburg, VA

By KELLY HANNON

Moderate levels of mold have been detected in several classrooms, a

restroom, and heating and air units at Stafford County's Grafton

Village Elementary.

Results of environmental testing performed at the school by

Professional Service Industries Inc. were released yesterday,

showing " fungal concentrations " in multiple locations.

Stafford Superintendent Murray is working with staff to create

a plan that will address the report's findings.

PSI and school district officials will discuss the plan, and testing

results, with Grafton Village teachers and staff tomorrow, said

Stafford schools spokeswoman Cottongim.

The public can pick up copies of PSI's report at the Alvin Y. Bandy

Administrative Complex.

The PSI report outlined suggestions for cleaning up mold at each

location, and preventing mold growth in the future.

The type of mold varied by location.

Moderate levels of cladosporium were found in the heat pump that

serves the library and on the surface of one supply air grille in

the library, an air diffuser in the school's multipurpose room, a

gymnasium mat and the windowsill of a classroom on the lower level

of the school's two-story older section.

A book plucked from library shelves had elevated spore counts from

the penicillium-aspergillius group, which was found in moderate

levels on a cabinet below a sink in a lower-level classroom and on

ceiling tiles in a boys' bathroom and a gymnasium mat.

A pesticide-herbicide screening also was done. PSI found one

organophosphorus pesticide, 'Methyl Parathion,' was " prevalent

throughout the school. "

No further information was available about the pesticide findings

yesterday, but Cottongim did say Murray intends to ask R.

Stern, director of the Rappahannock Area Health District, to review

the pesticide results.

No herbicides were detected in the soil at the school.

PSI conducted the testing at Grafton Village from June 15 to June

22. Ten teachers and several school administrators also were

interviewed.

Several teachers who work on Grafton Village's lower level reported

headaches and allergies they believe are linked to the school's air

quality.

Stafford schools hired PSI to conduct testing after several parents

expressed concern about the school's air quality. Samples gathered

internally by the school district this spring did not find elevated

levels of mold spores.

Barbara and 's son, , a third-grader at Grafton

Village, developed severe headaches and nosebleeds halfway through

this academic year. His doctors think his illness could be related

to environmental factors in the school building, since his condition

improves at home.

The s have schooled at home since mid-April, and by late

May, his condition was improving.

Fuller, professor of biology at the University of

Washington, said individuals react to mold in different ways.

" Spores are spread by the wind current, and the spores usually have

proteins in their walls, and your immune system reacts to that

protein, and depending on your sensitivity, it can produce a lot of

different symptoms, " Fuller said.

Mold thrives in wet, dark places where it has access to a food

source.

" Any time you have an area which is dark and moist and has any type

of organic substance about it, then there is going to be mold, "

Fuller said.

In particular, cladosporium is " ubiquitous. It's everywhere, " Fuller

said. " So when you get those conditions, which you are bound to do,

especially in ductwork, that stuff is going to grow. Some people are

a little more sensitive to the odors it produces, and some people

are less. "

Many surfaces and objects found in schools could serve as organic

matter--wood, upholstery, walls. A college student once brought

Fuller a lipstick she hadn't used in a while. It had bread mold

growing on it.

" These things can grow anywhere, pretty much, " Fuller said.

Molds do serve a positive purpose in the wild. Some molds break down

dead organic matter, recycling it.

" They're an extremely important part of our environment. It's just

man wants them where man wants, " he said.

People with allergies should probably consult with a physician, he

said.

" You're not going to get away from them and if you are sensitive to

them, the best prognosis is to go see an allergist and see what can

be done, " Fuller said.

However, PSI recommended several steps Stafford schools can take to

clean existing mold at Grafton Village and prevent it from

returning.

It advises:

The entire school be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed with a high-

efficiency particulate air filter to minimize opportunities for

future mold growth.

The heat pump unit serving the library be cleaned by a licensed

mechanical contractor.

All window frames and supply, return and exhaust grilles and

diffusers in the school, along with all other surfaces, be wiped

down with an Environmental Protection Agency-approved biocide.

Replace the cabinet below the classroom sink, along with mold-

contaminated drywall at that location.

Determine and correct the source of the water leak above the ceiling

in the boys' bathroom, with affected ceiling tiles thrown out and

replaced.

Throw out the affected gymnasium mat.

All library books should be cleaned and HEPA vacuumed to minimize

opportunities for future mold growth.

Pesticide data should be reviewed by medical personnel to assess

possible health concerns.

Also, carpet in Grafton Village's two-story original section--where

mold was found in classrooms--is already being replaced, Cottongim

said. In its place, tile is being installed.

To reach KELLY HANNON: 540/374-5436khannon@...

Date published: 7/28/2005