DPH: No major mold problems at Pawtucketville Memorial School

[Guest guest]

DPH: No major mold problems at Pawtucketville Memorial School

By Myers,

jmyers@...

Article Last Updated: 12/19/2007 11:37:50 AM EST

http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_7760095

LOWELL -- The state Department of Public Health reports finding no

significant mold or major air-quality issues at the Pawtucketville

Memorial Elementary School.

" A dark material was observed on the surface of metal ceiling panels

in a number of classrooms, " the DPH report states. " Visible mold

growth was observed and confirmed by microscopic analysis. "

That mold was found to be Cladosporium and Acremonium, two common

outdoor fungi that are associated with plant debris and soil and are

most likely introduced into the indoor environment through the

vents, open windows and doors and or tracked in by foot traffic,

according to the DPH.

" While these conditions do not present an imminent health threat,

prompt remediation is advisable, " the report continues.

Staff first raised a red flag in September, when they returned to

school to find mold growth on some ceiling tiles, walls and

classroom items.

Their concerns prompted the school administration to bring in ATC

Associates, Inc., an environmental-engineering

[Guest guest]

To bad the most of our learned educators do not understand the need

to maintain low indoor relative humidity throughout the summer.

Maintaining <50%RH prevent mold growth. A 100 pint per day

dehumidifier located in the hall between four open door class rooms

will provide <50%RH. This is a common summer problem in the " green

grass climates " .Preventive maintaince is not one our school systems

strong points. Regards Ken G

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> DPH: No major mold problems at Pawtucketville Memorial School

> By Myers,

> jmyers@...

> Article Last Updated: 12/19/2007 11:37:50 AM EST

>

> http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_7760095

>

> LOWELL -- The state Department of Public Health reports finding no

> significant mold or major air-quality issues at the Pawtucketville

> Memorial Elementary School.

>

> " A dark material was observed on the surface of metal ceiling

panels

> in a number of classrooms, " the DPH report states. " Visible mold

> growth was observed and confirmed by microscopic analysis. "

>

> That mold was found to be Cladosporium and Acremonium, two common

> outdoor fungi that are associated with plant debris and soil and

are

> most likely introduced into the indoor environment through the

> vents, open windows and doors and or tracked in by foot traffic,

> according to the DPH.

>

> " While these conditions do not present an imminent health threat,

> prompt remediation is advisable, " the report continues.

>

> Staff first raised a red flag in September, when they returned to

> school to find mold growth on some ceiling tiles, walls and

> classroom items.

>

> Their concerns prompted the school administration to bring in ATC

> Associates, Inc., an environmental-engineering

>