Re: Mold - A Growing Problem for Schools

[Guest guest]

This is really interesting. I was in the school that was at the Bristol

International Speedway. I

have had all the symptoms listed below and more. I even had places on my arms

that spontaneously bled. I am no longer working there, or any where else for

that matter.

Kathyw

tigerpaw2c <tigerpaw2C@...> wrote:

Mold - A Growing Problem for Schools

From Judy Tidwell

http://allergies.about.com/cs/molds/a/aa112802a.htm

Even Newer School Buildings Are Developing Mold Problems

Dangerous mold growing in ceiling tiles, walls, carpet and near

ventilation vents in school buildings across the United States is

becoming a health concern for students and parents, and an expensive

problem for school officials.

The mold problem has forced some districts to shut down schools and

make millions of dollars in repairs. Lawsuits have been filed by

students and staff alike, who claim their long-term health problems

have been caused by mold reactions.

" It's a growing problem, and it's one of the more high-priority

issues that schools are dealing with, " said ka Plater, indoor

air quality manager for the American Association of School

Administrators.

Some experts claim that construction techniques used in aging school

buildings are to blame for producing more mold, but others say

ventilation techniques in newer airtight schools are to blame.

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Here are some of the problems that have been reported recently in

the media:

Austin, TX: Voters approved a $49.3 million bond issue to pay for

mold removal and preventive maintenance in 91 different school

buildings.

Myers, FL: Teachers filed a lawsuit against county school officials,

accusing them of failing to fix known mold problems.

Bristol, TN: 1,000 students spent a month at Bristol Motor Speedway

attending class in the skyboxes while mold was removed at Sullivan

East High School. The repairs cost $600,000.

Memphis, TN: School board members called an emergency meeting after

hundreds of students there refused to enter East High School after a

student died following an asthma attack.

ville, TN: Students were out of class for four weeks while

school officials removed mold from their school building at a cost

of $1 million.

Old, dilapidated school buildings are prone to promoting mold

growth, according to a federal study. But mold develops easily in

newer schools because of less natural ventilation and because the

wallboard and carpeting used in their construction can soak up more

moisture.

The American Lung Association (ALA) advises that everyone be on the

alert for unsafe and unhealthy conditions. If you suspect water

damage and mold growth in your school or work environment, you can

report problems to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) and request a site inspection.

Possible ill effects of mold exposure can include:

Aggravation of asthma

Cold/flu like symptoms

Eye irritation

Fatigue

Fever

Headaches

Inability to concentrate

Lung infections

Nasal stuffiness

Rashes

Shortness of breath

Wheezing

This list is by no means all-inclusive. Mold exposure can be harmful

to one's health and should not be ignored.

You might be interesting in reading these personal testimonies about

mold exposure submitted by visitors to the Allergies site.

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