Update - Mold still problem at Longstreet

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Mold still problem at Longstreet

Daytona Beach News-Journal - Daytona Beach,FL*

By LINDA TRIMBLE

Education Writer

http://www.newsjournalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/e

vlEAST04021608.htm

DAYTONA BEACH -- A second round of tests in four renovated

classrooms at Longstreet Elementary continued to show fungus and

mold spores in the air, prompting school officials to put off a

decision on if and when classes there would resume.

Two of the rooms showed higher spore counts in the Feb. 7 tests,

according to a report released Friday, while the counts were down in

two of the rooms. Outdoor air samples showed much higher spore

counts the second time around.

The first air tests were taken Jan. 24 after three teachers reported

a strong odor, respiratory irritations and other symptoms they

believe are related to exposure to a moldy carpet that got wet

during a recent renovation project.

Classes have been moved to other rooms, the carpet has since been

replaced with vinyl tile and the rooms and air handlers have been

cleaned.

Area Superintendent Stan Whitted said Friday school officials are

awaiting a report from a Tampa consultant who visited the school

Feb. 8 before deciding what to do next.

" The second report indicates there's still a mold problem, " said

Straus, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Texas

Tech University who has done extensive research on mold. He spoke in

a telephone interview Friday after reviewing the Longstreet test

results at the request of The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Maglievaz, an environmental health specialist for the Volusia

County Health Department, said Friday the rooms where the odor

complaints originated appeared to be " in pretty good shape " when he

inspected the school Feb. 8.

" I didn't see anything that concerned me in those rooms, " he said in

a Friday telephone interview. " They were spotless. I didn't detect

any unusual odor. . . . There were no visual signs of mold. "

Both Straus and Maglievaz said the key to solving indoor mold

problems is identifying the source of moisture intrusion in the

building and fixing it, then replacing any mold-contaminated

materials.

While at Longstreet, Maglievaz conducted a semi-annual inspection of

the entire school. His report, released Friday, turned up flaking

paint on walkway covers and moisture damaged ceiling tiles and

drywall in the media center and computer lab and " mold-like growth "

in some areas of those rooms.

Repairs have already started, according to a school district

response to his report.

linda.trimble@...