Black Mold Keeps McKenny Elementary School Closed

March 9, 2002

Black Mold Keeps School Closed

Parents Concerned About Possible Contamination

Posted: 6:15 p.m. EST March 6, 2002

Updated: 8:44 p.m. EST March 7, 2002

McKenny Elementary School was closed Thursday after black mold was found in

a classroom, district officials said, and classes have been canceled Friday

also.

BLACK MOLD

More Information On Stachybotrys (Black Mold)

Frequently asked questions about stachybotrys mold.

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The mold was discovered after workers renovating a classroom discovered a

leaking pipe. School officials called in an environmental consultant to

assess the damage.

Lab test results indicated elevated levels of a common indoor mold

(aspergillius/pencillium) and a low level of black mold (stachybotrys), the

district said.

The classroom is closed off while workers clean the mold.

School officials are conducting air quality tests and said that once the

mold has been removed they will issue a letter to parents and staff.

Stachybotrys thrives in moisture and grows well on wood, paper or cotton

surfaces. If the spores are inhaled they can lead to a variety of ailments

and even death.

Experts say that it sometimes takes years before the effects of black mold

exposure are detected.

Many parents arrived at McKenny to drop off their children Thursday, only to

find that the school was closed.

Parents told Local 4 that they were upset that they were not told about the

mold earlier. Some said that their children were coming home with

unexplained illnesses.

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