Hospital sends mould for testing

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Hospital sends mould for testing

Northern News Services - Yellowknife,Northwest Territories,Canada*

May

Northern News Services

Published Friday, June 6, 2008

http://nnsl.com/northern-news-services/stories/papers/jun6_08st1.html

YELLOWKNIFE - Ongoing renovations at Stanton Territorial Hospital

uncovered mould in the emergency room area nearly two weeks ago when

construction workers pulled back some baseboards in an old washroom.

Hospital CEO Sylvia Haener said officials sent mould samples for

testing to find out if the mould is toxic, even though the hospital

isn't required to do so.

" We're being cautious and wanting to understand what we're dealing

with for future renovations, " Haener said Wednesday.

The results will be back in a few weeks and the renovations, which

began in late April, will continue until August. The hospital is

converting the private washroom into a patient triage room where

nurses can assess patients' needs and prioritize them for emergency

care.

The renovations are already isolated with plastic seals, so the area

is " perfectly safe and contained " , Haener said.

Moulds are types of fungi that can grow in humid or damp areas. Some

kinds of mould cause allergic reactions, eye, nose and throat

irritations and respiratory problems, particularly in children, the

elderly, or those with weakened immune systems. Haener said the

hospital does not plan to check other areas of the building for

mould.