Officials working against mold

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Officials working against mold

Cleburne Times-Review, Cleburne, TX

By Mager/Features Editor

http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/local_story_050104125.html

What is it that causes learning disabilities, trouble with

concentrating at work, asthma, a congested and runny nose, flu-like

symptoms and fatigue? The reason for these problems might be due to

something that is microscopically small and pervasive in the indoor

environment. But it's not necessarily a virus or bacteria.

When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita roared ashore, wreaking havoc with

their winds and ocean surges in 2005, the Gulf Coast had only seen

part of the way in which nature is dangerous. In the ensuing days

following the floods, the carpets, plasterboard, wood and ceiling

tiles in homes that were still standing began to once again host

life. This time, however, the life form was not human.

The Gulf Coast had become a massive toxic waste dump of mold. As

people returned to the remains of their homes, many found that,

while still standing and structurally sound, their homes were not

salvageable after all. Remediation of the mold infestation in these

homes, businesses, schools and churches, it turned out, was more

expensive than tearing them down and rebuilding. There was even

question as to where the mold-ridden wreckage could be disposed of

safely. The problem of disposal of mold-laden materials is that mold

is a potentially major threat to health.

Though largely hurricane-free, County nonetheless suffers

from loads of moisture.

" It's a big and controversial problem because we have lots of

humidity here in County, " said Dr. Arthur Raines,

County's medical examiner.

He added that the problem is not only a medical one, but also a

legal one and that its effects are not limited to people.

" After a rash of lawsuits, the insurance companies decided they

weren't going to pay off on damage caused by mold any longer, "

Raines said. " I went to a conference at Hill College some time ago,

and one speaker was a veterinarian who spoke about what a big effect

mold toxins had on horses, so it's not just human beings who are

affected by the problem. "

Molds gradually eat away at whatever material they use for a host.

There are molds that live on wood, paper, carpet, insulation and

foods.

Though many parts of the country do not experience hurricanes, many

experience soaking rains, high humidity or melting snow and ice.

When buildings have leaks in their roof or plumbing, or considerable

condensation, the beginnings of a mold colony are not far behind.

Mold spores and pieces of mold can trigger allergic reactions and

asthma attacks. Toxic molds produce chemicals, known as mycotoxins,

that cause neurological damage, respiratory problems and death. Some

of these molds are so toxic that, to remove them or destroy the

structures they've infected, workers have to wear respirators.

The best-known toxic mold is called botrys chartarum, better

known as black mold. But toxins from mold can come from other

species as well.

Symptoms arising from exposure to some of these more toxic molds

include organic dust toxic syndrome, fatigue, lack of concentration,

nausea, headaches and eye irritation.

There is some concern about the relationship between the presence of

mold in schools to learning disabilities in children. The Learning

Disabilities Association of Georgia suggests to parents of children

who have been deemed learning disabled to first rule out the

possibility that either the child's school or home might be at the

root of the problem.

" We started down that road regarding mold some years ago, " said

Magers, CISD community services director. " It's a very big problem

and a touchy issue. " It is an issue the district takes very

seriously.

Mold was a major consideration in the construction of the district's

new schools and in retrofitting its older ones.

" A big factor in our efforts has been that we have switched from

carpet to tile, " Cleburne ISD Assistant Superintendent Mike

said. " The carpet just traps dust and allergens, so we went with a

hard surface instead. "

The district's efforts don't end with carpet, though.

" We have a regular replacement schedule for air conditioner filters,

and whenever we find a wet ceiling tile, we wait for the rain to

stop and then we replace it, " said. " Our buildings have flat

roofs, so there are always going to be leaks. If a leak is found, we

wait until the rain stops and then we call in a contractor to patch

up the roof. We're also making a strong effort to assure that fresh,

outside air is constantly filtering through our schools. "

Cleburne schools also use vacuums with HEPA filters to trap as much

as possible, Magers said.

While the Environmental Protection Agency has not set standards for

mold in workplaces or public buildings, it provides recommendations

for prevention of mold and eradication of existing mold.

" For the most part, molds thrive on moisture and materials

containing some form of cellulose, " Raines said. The EPA offers the

following advice for dealing with mold in your home or in your

workplace:

F Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.

Dry all items completely.

F Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry

completely.

F Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet,

may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or

fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the

mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.

F Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold.

F Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry

the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is

likely to peel.

F If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is

expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a

specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting,

art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water

damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone

books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists

who are affiliated with professional organizations.

Mager can be reached at 817-645-2441, ext. 2338, or

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