Re: mold testing at private schools

October 17, 2007

Arlene, I worked in a pvt. school and will be happy to talk to you. E-mail

me and I'll tell you what I went through.

Sue:

Hello...

Does anyone have experience in how to go about testing for mold at

private schools? As private property, could they bar a parent from

gathering air samples? Am I allowed to take photos of a leaky roof,

or would that be " trespassing " o

thanks in advance,

arlene

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

October 17, 2007

Public or private those are children!! I would start calling a lot of parents.

I believe they still have same standards as any other public building. Its a

school! I would take pictures and demand that they take air samples, you are

paying them for your childs education and a safe place for them to be. not the

other way around. Your the customer!! But some times its easier to ask for

forgiveness than permission! Your child has rights.

Best of luck

a

arleneyogini <arleneyogini@...> wrote:

Hello...

Does anyone have experience in how to go about testing for mold at

private schools? As private property, could they bar a parent from

gathering air samples? Am I allowed to take photos of a leaky roof,

or would that be " trespassing " ?

thanks in advance,

arlene

__________________________________________________

October 17, 2007

Arlene,

if your eyes can see it, you can photograph it.

Take pictures first, ask questions later.

But be careful in interpreting them, let them speak for themselves.

October 17, 2007

Do you have a child in a sick building in a private school? As a

teacher in a sick public school I was asked in my deposition for my WC

case if I took any of the falling ceiling tiles, or did any of my own

testing, etc. I would assume that if you later had a case against the

school, these questions might be asked of you.

After speaking to many teachers and parents across this country

regarding their experiences in sick schools, I would suggest you find

out if other parents have children reacting in the school and come

together. There is strength in numbers. Discuss your observations of

your children's symptoms and physical building problems. I've heard of

some parents hiring independent testing companies but I believe it is

hard to get a court order to get on campus to test without an open

case. If you get a lawyer as a group or individually, I believe then

you can get on campus and get the person of your choice to do a

thorough building investigation as part of the discovery process.

It seems districts (public or private schools) historically hire

people that will find NOTHING wrong with the building or say that the

spore counts are higher than the counts inside the building. Believe

me, they have studied strategies to cover themselves completely. In

fact, they will try to pacify you as a parent telling you they will

find a good company to test. This is not to be trusted (in my opinion)

Why couldn't you take pictures of your child's school...of the " bird "

on the roof???

www.schoolmoldhelp.org is a great place to ask your questions. Lots of

resources for parents. I would encourage you to check it out.

October 18, 2007

Try to get a complete independent inspection done. The quick 'mold

inspections' that often don't include anything more than spore trap air

sampling are notorious for not detecting serious problems. For example, even

serious stachybotrys problems rarely show up on them because stachybotrys

rarely sporulates.

You need a complete inspection where the insprectors get to look inside of

spaces that are normally closed to outsiders. Thats often where the worst

mold problems are.

Also, whoever pays controls the results. So you have to be the ones paying.

October 18, 2007

a,

Public or Private it is always best to be professional. I have worked with the

schools before. I would not go around asking other parents about the mold. You

can find out in a round about way if the other students are sick though. I had

to do this. The schools already don't want to hear about mold. If you start

asking other parents about mold and it gets back to the school officials, they

will already be on the defense. You want them on the offense. Demanding,

threatening and letting them know their school has a mold problem will only

create more problems for you. Treat this as a huge client you are trying to win

their deal, and that you are in the running w/3 other companies. Make them want

to listen, with your kindness, expertise, knowledge, and understanding. Let

them tell you there may be a mold problem after you have presented the hard

facts. All schools have children w/asthma. All schools know mold plays a

factor in asthma. Use poor indoor air quality as your starting factor. If you

do a google search, you can find that poor indoor air quality plays a major in

learning problems. NOT just mold. If you go about it just right they will

listen. If you don't they will shut down and you will be in for the fight of

your life. (99 times out of 100)

Re: [] mold testing at private schools

Public or private those are children!! I would start calling a lot of parents.

I believe they still have same standards as any other public building. Its a

school! I would take pictures and demand that they take air samples, you are

paying them for your childs education and a safe place for them to be. not the

other way around.

Recent Activity

a.. 8New Members

Visit Your Group

Cancer Resources

on

Find answers,

help and support.

Healthy Eating

on

A place for parents

to share their ideas.

Green Y! Groups

Environment Groups

Find them here

connect with others.

.

October 18, 2007

I must agree with . I am currently dealing with a problem in a

building I visit. First, I shared our experience with mold and then

used the approach of trying to inform and educate the facility

director. He recently told me I have had an impact, and I can observe

that in how they deal with issues. Sadly, the maintenance staff is

ignorant about mold. But, I have helped to get them educated.

One particularly persuasive approach is to gently point out that

while you (or you child) might be more sensitive to an unhealthy

environment as a result of past exposure, eventually those who are in

it every day, all day long, also run the risk of becoming ill. It's

just a question of how long that might take.

-

>

> a,

> Public or Private it is always best to be professional. I have

worked with the schools before. I would not go around asking other

parents about the mold. You can find out in a round about way if the

other students are sick though.

October 18, 2007

Thanks to all who have offered insight into the situation of air quality in

schools.

It seems so complicated and political, when all we really want is clean air for

our kids to breathe... it should be their birthright.

A year ago I was able to sprint up 4 flights of stairs... today I had to sit

down after six steps... I would hate for any child to end up like this.

Okay, enough typing... I can't feel half my fingers...

arlene

October 18, 2007

,

Sorry I disagree, I am on our school board. What makes me furious is the fact

not enough parents speak up! If you the parent are not aware of any health

risks that your child maybe exposed to at school and another parent figures it

out. They should speak up. The more parents are aware and united in the best

interest of there children. The more people sit up and take notice and usually

resolve issues. How is that unprofessional ?

a

<smarshwar@...> wrote: