Schools report problems with mold

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October 25, 2005

http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2005/1025/local/stories/07local.ht

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Above Tom Ettel, principal of Elementary School, shows how

a makeshift tarp is being used in a classroom to prevent water from

an old steam heater vent from running into the classsroom below.

Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli

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Schools report problems with mold

Medford,OR

By PARIS ACHEN

Mail Tribune

Complaints of mold infestations in Medford schools are one of the

issues the school district bond committee will address as it crafts

a recommendation for a school bond measure.

One complaint prompted an investigation last year at

Elementary School by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health

Division.

About 15 Medford schools have reported problems with mold, district

officials said. Some of the problems come from water leaks from

failing roofs or old steam radiators, they said.

Air quality tests at the schools have shown the mold poses no health

hazards, and mold infestations are cleaned up promptly, they said.

Nonetheless, mold is a constant concern because of its ability to

grow in wet conditions and afflict those with respiratory

conditions, they said.

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The 65-member committee is charged with identifying such problems

and recommending solutions for a possible bond measure.

" The question we have to answer is what are the long-term conditions

that are contributing to mold, whether it's leaky roofs or

modifications of basements, " said Bob Hartwig, the district's

coordinator for special services who heads the planning committee.

Some employees have complained of symptoms sometimes associated with

mold, such as memory loss, nasal stuffiness and skin irritation.

An anonymous complaint in April 2004 by a teacher at

Elementary School who claimed to have such symptoms prompted an

investigation by the Oregon OSHA.

An OSHA inspector found no evidence to link the complainant's

symptoms with mold and could pinpoint no wet spots where mold might

be flourishing.

Two air quality tests in 2001 and 2003 at the school showed mold did

not present a health risk, said Principal Tom Ettel.

The school, built in 1912, has water leaks just about every year

from the roof, clogged drains and an old steam radiator system,

Ettel said.

Last January, a hole in the roof allowed water to leak through a

vent in the ceiling of a third-floor classroom to the music room in

the basement, Ettel said.

He said leaks are cleaned up promptly, treated with mildew-fighting

solvents and dried out to try to prevent mold infestations.

Mold spots are treated with bleach, he said.

" If we didn't have leaks, we wouldn't have a mold issue, " Ettel said.

The mold problem is compounded by a lack of ventilation. The school

does not have central heating and air-conditioning, so the school

cannot draw in fresh air from outside.

Sam Digati, district manager of facilities and grounds, said

repairing roof leaks is the first priority for the bond committee.

The committee will consider recommending central heating and air-

conditioning systems for the district's oldest schools, including

, Roosevelt and Washington elementary schools.

A final recommendation for a bond package is set for April.

Rumors of toxic mold in Talent Middle School spawned outrage by

parents in fall 2003.

However, tests ultimately showed there were no harmful amounts of

mold in the school.

Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail

pachen@....