Mold found in Mt. middle school classrooms

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Mold found in Mt. middle school classrooms

Tuesday, January 8, 2002

By Lacy

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Mt. - About 30 parents of Central Middle School students on Monday

expressed concerns about mold in the building's basement .

Traces of stachybotrys, also known as " black mold, " were found in the

school's band and preschool rooms after tests by Ann Arbor-based Nova

Environmental Inc. on Dec. 4.

Letters were sent home to band and preschool students Dec. 28, but

notifications to the whole student body weren't sent out until Friday,

School Superintendent Larry said.

The delay angered parents, especially those whose children have a history of

illness, said Kim Munsell, the mother of a fifth-grader and kindergartner.

Molds including stachybotrys can release gases and spores that have been

linked to such symptoms as runny noses and bleeding lungs.

She said her sons, Bau, 10, and Buck, 5, have had serious respiratory

problems within the past year.

Bau's condition has worsened to the point where he's had dark rings around

his eyes, Munsell said.

Buck, now at Montague Elementary School, had frequent illnesses last year

while in a preschool classroom on the second floor.

" My oldest has a mild case of asthma and now has to bring an inhaler to

school, and my youngest had two bouts of bronchitis last year, " said Munsell

at the meeting in the Junior High library. " It might take the death of a

child, or one coming real close, before the district will come and say they

need help. "

said the district didn't send out letters to every family in the

beginning because they didn't know the full extent of the problem.

" This issue is very complex, " said. " We didn't want to send out

letters at first since we didn't have official test results. "

Nova received test results Dec. 14, environmental consultant Philip Grosse

said. There were two more tests on Dec. 18 and 28. Each test analyzed the

conditions of seven classrooms that were suspected to have mold problems.

said the school has about 35 classrooms, including some that are not

used.

Teachers were notified of the mold at a Jan. 4 staff meeting after the

school's two-week holiday break - seven days after letters were sent to band

and preschool students' families.

A final report from Nova is expected to be released this week, detailing the

group's three tests. Recommendations for a solution also will be included,

Grosse said.

said the district will make the findings available at another meeting

and through the mail.

The Genesee County Health Department, which also has conducted tests in the

building, is offering assistance for those with questions or concerns. For

information, call Dorothy , (810) 257-3190.

Lacy covers nonprofit agencies and general news. He can be reached at

(810) 766-6249 or elacy@....

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