Report says mold widespread in Lubbock library

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Report says mold widespread in Lubbock library

By Elliott Blackburn | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Story last updated at 2/25/2009 - 1:41 am

LubbockOnline.com - Lubbock,TX,USA

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/022509/loc_398299593.shtml

Mold greeted investigators everywhere they looked last week in the

Godeke Library, and signs of further infestation peeked out from

where they couldn't, according to a report released Tuesday.

Patches as small as 6 square inches and as large as 25 square feet

spread behind vinyl wall treatments covering more than 70 percent of

the inspected walls inside the building, according to a report

prepared by Grimes & Associates of Wolfforth.

Two samples of drywall showed signs of more mold covering the backs

of the walls, according to the report.

But an expert said Tuesday that thousands of books and other

materials removed from the building before the inspection were likely

safe.

City officials closed Lubbock's busiest library branch in January to

remove materials and prepare for last week's extensive mold

inspection. Signs of mold were first found in the fall, as a

consultant researched a workers' compensation claim.

Vinyl wall coverings over most of the library's interior proved a

perfect incubator for the mold. The thin space between the lining and

the drywall trapped moisture and warmth in a nice, dark spot.

The February inspection by a mold remediation specialist pointed to

other culprits city staff had expected - cracks in the building's

exterior walls and roof that had allowed water to seep in. The branch

building, located along the shore of a modified playa, has a history

of flooding.

" Observations indicated a concern regarding the structural integrity

of the building and its effect on the building envelope, " the

contractor wrote in conclusions given to the city.

All buildings have mold, said Straus, a Texas Tech Health

Sciences Center professor of immunology and microbiology.

But mold becomes dangerous when it finds water from a broken pipe or

leaky roof, he said. Mold may be fine, but growing mold is not, he

said.

Disturbing the growing mold can kick up thousands more spores as well

as toxins dangerous to humans into the air, Straus said.

Depending on how the investigation was done, the building could be

more dangerous now. But studies have shown that mold would probably

not coat the books that filled the library only a few weeks ago, he

said.

Spores endanger humans in high concentrations. Breathing sucks the

tiny, floating mold particles into the lungs - the longer a person

stays in the building, the more they pile up.

Mold doesn't behave like dust, Straus said, and does not easily

settle on objects like books.

" Those books are probably quite safe, " Straus said. " Books don't

breathe. "

Lubbock has looked for a new location for the library farther south

and west from its current spot near Quaker Avenue and Loop 289.

Mayor Tom said the City Council could make a decision on a new

location at Thursday's meeting.

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LUBBOCK/Expert says Godeke books likely safe; building may be more

toxic after probe