Jail mold determined to not be a hazard

[Guest guest]

I bet the inmates and guards would disagree with the title of this

" investigative " report.

_http://www.therandolphleader.com/articles/2010/03/03/news/396-jail%20mold.t

xt_

(http://www.therandolphleader.com/articles/2010/03/03/news/396-jail%20mold.txt)

Jail mold determined to not be a hazard

by _ Sorrell Burnside_ (mailto:vanessa@...)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 8:49 AM CST

WEDOWEE--In a press conference on Friday morning of last week, Randolph

County Commission addressed the results of mold tested from Randolph County

Jail.

Commissioner Doyle said the press conference was held at the

recommendation of the county's liability insurance carrier and limited

questions

to members of the press. He said samples were taken by DMR Technical

Services of Birmingham at the jail on Feb. 19 and results received on Feb. 22.

Air

samples were taken throughout the building, and surface samples were taken

in a women's cell, ceiling of the nurse's office and ceiling of the

kitchen.

The report calls the airborne mold samples " relatively normal " and states

the molds were of common varieties. It explains that a powdery substance on

the ceilings is efflorescence, a leaching of salts from the concrete and

surfaces likely caused by the migration of water through the minerals.

According to the report, " There are currently no federal or state

regulations regarding the presence of mold and its effects on human health, nor

are

there any established guidelines for use in determining acceptable levels

of mold in indoor environments. DMR accepts that some individuals may be

more susceptible than others to health concerns associated with mold

exposure. The information and recommendation herein apply to the average

individual. "

The report attributes the mold to leaks from the plumbing, the shower

stalls, rainwater seeping through exterior walls from inadequate drainage or

gutters and from issues with the heating and air (HVAC) system.

said the mold can be cleaned with common cleaning agents; however,

when Volkert & Associates begins evaluating the jail prior to proposed

renovations, they should address the sources of this mold and ways to stop its

growth, via working on drainage, plumbing, HVAC, etc.

Jail administrator Craig son noted that the mold had been cleaned

before and came back.

Commissioner Lathonia noted that voters had twice voted down

referendums for new taxes to build a new jail, so the funds to work on the jail

will come from existing sources, court fines and capital improvement funds.

explained that the findings of Volkert may change the direction of

the plans for the jail project. He said, " If they say it's beyond repair, we

told them to go back to square one. They indicated we'd need to build on

site because of buying land and site preparation costs. The project budget

is $2.5 million and the fee to Volkert is 8.5 percent or $212,000.

During its last meeting, the commission voted 3-2 to hire the consulting

firm of Volkert & Associates to act as a general contractor on the jail

project.