Mold found at Diloreto

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Mold found at Diloreto

By: Kerry Heeran, Herald Staff

02/02/2007

New Britain Herald - New Britain,CT

http://www.newbritainherald.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=17803916 & BRD=1641 & PAG=461 & dept_id=10109 & rfi=6

NEW BRITAIN - Mold has been found growing inside Diloreto Magnet

School and officials are now responding to a report by an industrial

hygienist to rid the building of the potential health problems.

" The report gave us guidelines, " said assistant superintendent

Jakubowski. " We are taking action on all the recommendations

that were made. "

The report, the result of a site visit to Diloreto on Dec. 14, 2006,

by Simcox of the University of Connecticut Health Center,

recommends that the " school replaces the original roof, removes

reservoirs of mold from the basement, continue to remove and replace

water-stained ceiling tiles, determine if a pathway of air movement

exists between the basement and the school (and) if feasible seal

these pathways. "

According to her report, the purpose of the visit was to evaluate

potential sources of antigens or irritants that could contribute to

respiratory symptoms that several patients seen by physicians at the

Division of Occupational and Environ-mental Medicine have shown.

According to the report's section on 'Evidence of Microbial Growth

or Bioaerosol amplification, " a walk-through evaluation of the area

was conducted to visually identify potential microbial reservoirs.

" There is evidence of water infiltration into the building envelope.

These problems are associated primarily with roof leaks, " the report

said.

" This area should be properly cleaned out by removing the moldy

materials. It is known that bioareosols/pollutants can diffuse and

travel between different floors in structures such as the Diloreto

School, and therefore it is important to better understand how the

air movement occurs between the basement and other areas of the

building, " according to the report.

The report also notes " the basement contains visible mold " in the

storage area which includes furniture, boxes and teaching materials.

In addition, moss and leaf debris were found covering another area

of the school, which was connected to the building.

Mold can act as an irritant, according to the Environmental

Protection Agency's Web site. The most common effects include hay

fever-type symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin

rash. In addition, mold exposure can irritate eyes, skin, nose,

throat and lungs.

A representative from the UConn Health Center said the center would

not be able to comment due to patient confidentiality.

The mayor's office and city health department also refused comment,

citing a personnel matter.

Kerry Heeran can be reached at kheeran@... or by

calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 306.