Windows in UM Dorms are Sealed for Health Reasons

April 28, 2008

Hurricane Online - Coral Gables,FL*

By: Samyog Pokhrel-Willett

Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: News

008/04/28/News/Windows.In.Um.Dorms.Are.Sealed.For.Health.Reasons-

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One of the joys of living in a temperate climate is the ability to

open up the window and enjoy some fresh air - unless those windows

are locked at all times.

The rooms in Mahoney/Pearson and Eaton Residential Colleges, which

were redesigned with sealed windows eight to 10 years ago, are

constantly locked in order to reduce mold and improve air quality,

said J. Redick, director of Residence Halls.

Students from these dorms often complain that they cannot open the

windows to get proper ventilation, Redick said.

" You can't get fresh air in your room, " said Andres Nunez, a junior

and Pearson resident. " It feels like a jail. "

However, according to a study by a team from the University of

Miami's medical campus, the indoor air in Mahoney/Pearson and Eaton

was found to be healthier than the outdoor air, Redick said. Sealing

the windows and filtering the outside air through air conditioners

reduces pollen and pollutants.

Mold, he said, is a bigger problem. In a humid, tropical climate

like that of Miami, mold often appears in cool, air-conditioned

buildings where the moisture is allowed to seep in through open

windows. Mold thrives in cold, damp conditions, so if moist outdoor

air was to combine with the chilled air of the hallways and dorm

rooms, it would create a perfect habitat.

Senior Eaton resident Elvis said that the lack of outdoor

ventilation can be suffocating.

" The main problem is air circulation, " said. " When there's an

odor in the room, like dirty clothes or shoes, or the bathroom

smells, you can't open the window so it gets trapped in the room. "

But Redick said that opening a window to get odors out will only get

mold in, causing worse odors.

" I would recommend people to do their laundry more often, " he said.

Hecht and Stanford have lots of problems with mold since the towers

have opening windows. Reddick said there are plans to seal these

windows as well.

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