No major fungus problems as Botetourt high school undergoes tests

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http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story125800.html

Wednesday, February 13, 2002

No major fungus problems as Botetourt high school undergoes tests

Inspections at River High School found a small amount of fungus in a

boys' locker room.

By JOANNE POINDEXTER

THE ROANOKE TIMES

Botetourt County's River High School does not have any major fungus

problems, school and health officials said Tuesday.

But recent inspections at the school in Buchanan have identified

cladosporium, a common fungus in highly moist and humid areas, in a boys'

locker room.

Test results, however, " pretty much cleared the school of having a

significant mold problem, " said Dick Tabb, environment health manager for

the Alleghany-Roanoke Health District that includes Botetourt County.

The tests were negative for stachybotrys, a fungus that forced the

closure of Jefferson Forest High School in Bedford County last year. A

parent requested a health department inspection at River because she

suspected her son was getting sick from stachybotrys.

River has had three inspections since September when a teacher

first complained of headaches, a typical allergic reaction to mold.

Health officials said they found some " areas of concern because of

moisture, " and the school system had a private environmental services

consultant test the areas, Tabb said.

The tests found cladosporium and small quantities of penicillium. Most

of the cladosporium was found in a boys' locker room, the only area where

the mold was visible, Tabb said.

Cladosporium is found indoors and outdoors throughout the United States.

It and penicillium can cause indoor air quality problems, leading to

allergies and sickness.

The consultant also found small amounts of fungi on vent grills that

" could become a problem down the road. "

School officials have made arrangements to have the mold cleaned from

the locker room and vents, Deputy School Superintendent Rod Dillman said

Tuesday.

Health officials also recommended that the school system get an

inspection by the Virginia Division of Labor and Industry. " They will do an

assessment of the whole facility and look at other safety areas, " Tabb said.

JOANNE POINDEXTER can be reached at 981-3232 or joannep@....