University removes mold from McMindes Hall

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University removes mold from McMindes Hall

8/14/2007

Hays Daily News, Hays, Kansas*

By MICAH MERTES

http://www.hdnews.net/Story/mold081407

The McMindes Hall dormitory on the Fort Hays State University campus

had a small infestation of mold that developed this summer, but,

university officials said, it's now cleared out, and the rooms are

safe to live in.

" As soon as it was discovered, we were able to take care of it, "

said Shana Meyer, assistant vice president for student affairs. " And

we're ready for students to move in. "

Mold in campus dormitories is a common occurrence -- just run a

Google search with the words " mold " and " dormitory. "

This often occurs with moisture buildup in rooms that don't get much

air circulation during the summer.

" We're just not used to this kind of humidity, " said Kent Steward,

president of university relations. " Generally, the humidity's

brought a lot of problems in the community this summer. "

Steward said, in addition to removing and disinfecting the affected

areas, the university physical plant had the mold tested to see the

level of its potential harm.

Some molds can be toxic, but the kind in McMindes Hall was

a " benign " mold, Steward said, the kind that would be harmful mainly

to those with mold allergies.

Micah Mertes is a reporter for The Hays Daily News. He can be

reached at (785) 621-4515 or micah@....