Re: Salem (MA) News: Teachers meet with union reps over mold

[Guest guest]

Carl and ,

It is definitely a step in the right direction. Much different than just

a few years ago. But there is still a Key link missing in this article.

Someone from a health department should be evaluating. Not just Unions,

School Boards and City Officials. The CDC really needs to get up to speed on

this issue and start educating health departments. I have read more than

once that health dept. employees say mold is the number one complaint that

they get. But they don't know what to do with it, or what authority they have.

Still, good step in right direction. At least they are not trying to say

these teachers have just be exposed to " trial lawyers, media, and Junk

Science " like the US Chamber promoted.

In a message dated 9/26/2009 3:23:15 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

grimes@... writes:

Good article and what an important position to take:

* " I will not be completely pleased until the teachers in the

building are not finding a reoccurrence (of mold) and not

suffering any health issues, " said.

[Guest guest]

Good article and what an important position to take:

* " I will not be completely pleased until the teachers in the

building are not finding a reoccurrence (of mold) and not

suffering any health issues, " said.

This is consistent with the EPA guidance document 'Mold

Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.' Specifically,

page 26, point 5:

* " People should be able to occupy or re-occupy the space

without health complaints or physical symptoms. "

Also with the 1999 ACGIH publication 'Bioaerosols,' Section 15.5:

* " The ultimate criterion for the adequacy of abatement

efforts for treating biological contamination is the ability of

people to occupy or re-occupy the space without health

complaints or physical discomfort. "

Neither of these documents are law or regulation but ae based on

the authority of science. They can, and should, be used to

advocate our need and as part of the verification of a successful

remediation job.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

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This is

(http://www.salemnews.com/) The Salem News

Teachers meet with union reps over mold

By Stacie N. Galang

Staff Writer

September 25, 2009 12:18 am

PEABODY - A group of Carroll School teachers handed Superintendent

C.

Milton Burnett a one-page list of actions they asked be taken to reassure

them

their elementary school is safe from mold.

Bruce , president of the Peabody Federation of Teachers, said

yesterday he and the Boston field representative met with 15 to 20

educators for

an hour yesterday to discuss the presence of the microscopic fungi.

They also toured the affected part of the building.

said " at least a few " teachers reported they or their students had

breathing-related problems, headaches or sore throats.

Teachers expressed concern about the building's air quality and mold, he

said.

Burnett arrived later with some city officials to explain to the remaining

teachers what the district had done to solve the problem, said.

" I think (teachers) are pleased that they are now being -their concerns

are now being - listened to and addressed, " he said. " Some of the

teachers

indicated in a meeting with us they have been reporting issues with the

(heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system, about such things as

condensation and mold issues, for years now. "

The union planned to follow up with the district, asking for reports from

the mold cleanup.

" I will not be completely pleased until the teachers in the building are

not finding a reoccurrence (of mold) and not suffering any health issues, "

said.

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