Mould still found in children's area of library

[Guest guest]

Mould still found in children's area of library; Council yet to see

November report

Owen Sound Sun Times - Owen Sound,Ontario,Canada*

Posted By SCOTT DUNN

http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?

e=804824 & auth=SCOTT+DUNN

Meaford Public Library has " slightly elevated " levels of mould in

the basement children's books area and art room, says an

environmental consultant's report obtained by The Sun Times.

The Nov. 16 report by W. Pantelmann Incorporated of Meaford

recommends calling a plumber to look at excess moisture in the

downstairs washroom and repair as needed.

It also recommends unrelated repairs to damaged sections of asbestos

pipe insulation in the boiler room, children's book area and storage

room.

But the mould situation has improved significantly since steps were

taken to deal with the problem, the report says.

Meaford council will see a report on the mould concerns at its next

council meeting and until council sees it, Mayor Wally Reif said it

would be premature to comment. He said in a voicemail message he

wasn't familiar with details of the situation.

The chief librarian, Rita Orr, declined to comment. Council is to

consider the issue Dec. 10, she said.

Mould has been in the news elsewhere recently. Tara's public library

has been closed since late November while its basement was

permanently sealed off and the main floor disinfected. The new

Kincardiine medical clinic was forced to move because of mould this

fall.

Archie Pantelmann, who wrote the Meaford library report, said he

didn't want to say much but he likened Meaford library basement to a

typical home basement which has been flooded then vacuumed up. Mould

in such a house would be equal to or greater than the library's

problem.

" If you have someone residing in that home who is at risk . . . and

they go down into that basement area, they may or may not react, " he

said in an interview.

Those most at risk are the elderly, babies, those with compromised

immune systems, asthma, allergies or breathing problems.

The report says health effects of mould include headache, cough,

respiratory tract irritation, eye irritation, rash, sinus congestion

and allergic responses like asthma and hay fever-type symptoms.

Advertisement

" Significant adverse health effects are rare and usually limited

to " those most at risk, including people with " high occupational

exposure, " the report adds.

The report says there has been " significant improvement " since the

initial investigation of the problem on Jan. 25, 2006, and an air

exchanger and dehumidifiers used.

A moisture barrier installed on the outside of the library's old

foundation has also helped, the report says.

" It appears that the moisture penetration was reduced, but not

completely stopped, " the report says.

Total fungal counts in the children's book room - where the highest

spore concentrations were found in November - were 38 per cent of

the outdoor levels at the sidewalk. Certain spore types equalled the

outdoor level or reached half the outdoor level.

When indoor fungal spore counts exceed a range of 40 to 60 per cent

of outdoor readings, there is a problem, Pantelmann said

" They're not high, but they're still indicators of fungal growth

activity, " Pantelmann said. " Something's happening down there and

you put that together with the elevated moisture levels . . . there

is a problem. "