Experts blame mold for bad air at Coon Valley Elementary School

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http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/3badair.php

Tue Feb 12 17:03:56 CST 2002

Experts blame mold for bad air

By RANDY ERICKSON of the Tribune staff

WESTBY, Wis. - Mold is the most likely culprit behind the indoor air

problems at Coon Valley Elementary School, two experts told the Westby

School Board Monday night.

The two recently completed an environmental assessment of the school, which

has been closed since late October to address air problems after some staff

and students reported becoming ill in the building.

Sharon Bessa of Sharon J. Bessa and Associates in Madison told the board the

mold levels in the school didn't seem high enough to cause major health

problems. She said not enough is understood about microtoxins emitted by

some mold species to pinpoint them as the cause of health problems, although

mold is certainly a problem for people allergic to the spores.

Bessa and Wayne Baker of s Engineering in La Crosse gave the board

nine recommendations to help limit mold exposure, including painting the

ceilings. They said the wood fiber ceilings harbor mold growth where they

have been exposed to moisture, probably through a leaking roof.

Other recommendations include better controlling humidity in the building,

continued monitoring of humidity and spore counts, evaluating operation of

room ventilators, caulking windows and restricting children with mold

allergies from woodchips on the playground. The whole idea, Baker and Bessa

said, is to keep moisture out of the building.

Bessa said she would be comfortable having people go back into the building

after the ceilings have been painted. She added, however, it would be normal

for some people to be uncomfortable going back into the building after it

had been evacuated.

Coon Valley Elementary was diagnosed with " sick building syndrome " last fall

by a panel of medical professionals, based on a high number of unexplained

health complaints from students and staff members.

The school has been closed since Oct. 24, when the district decided to take

steps to address air quality problems.

Since the school closed, the district has removed most of the carpeting in

the building. The school's bulletin boards and chalk boards on exterior

walls also were removed, with mold growths discovered behind them.

The school board took no action on Bessa and Baker's recommendations at its

meeting Monday, but will consider doing the work after looking at cost

estimates.

Superintendent Jerry Trochinski said a Trane Co. employee has been

investigating solutions for the humidity problem. Trochinski said some grant

money might be available as well to help pay for the mold abatement work.