Questions linger over mold tests

[Guest guest]

Questions linger over mold tests

AZ Central.com - AZ*

Dianna M. Náñez

The Arizona Republic

Mar. 22, 2008

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0322coronamold-sidebar.html

Tests for mold can take many forms. In 2006, they found molds

considered " toxigenic " in parts of Corona del Sol High School. After

cleanup efforts, air samples in 2007 " indicated normal, acceptable

fungal spore concentrations, " according to Health Effects Group, an

environmental consultant that conducted the tests.

The Arizona Republic discussed the results with Dr. Straus of

Texas Tech University's medical school.

He said he was concerned about some of the findings in a 2007 follow-

up study.

Tests often compare mold levels inside and outside a building to

determine if the indoor levels are too high. The general standard

for determining " safe " levels of molds, Straus said, is finding

molds of similar types indoors compared with outdoors and finding

lower levels of molds inside compared with outside.

The follow-up study found the mold stachybotrys in a women's faculty

restroom. Some strains of stachybotrys are toxigenic. A final study

also found stachybotrys at the same levels outside the building.

In Straus' opinion, when toxigenic molds are found, the area should

be cleaned again.

He was also concerned that classroom carpets where toxigenic molds

were originally found had yet to be removed. Given the school's lack

of airflow, he said that if the carpets were to get wet again, they

would be a " breeding ground " for mold.

The Republic asked Dr. Lipsey, an OSHA-certified forensic

toxicologist, to look at the Health Effects studies. He raised

several concerns. He also said that finding stachybotrys outside is

rare and that the area should be tested again.

The Health Effects studies also describe " air samples " taken in the

company's final testing. " Taking air samples for final

clearance . . . is simply not adequate, " Lipsey told The Republic in

an e-mail. " Air samples are only a 5-minute snapshot that day. "

Littell, a Tempe Union School District spokeswoman, said

Health Effects recommended the type of testing completed during its

indoor air-quality assessment and follow-up at Corona.

Health Effects would not comment on the testing and referred

questions to attorneys for the Arizona School Risk Retention Trust.

Attorneys for the trust refused to comment.