Officials say mold is at safe level in middle school

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Officials say mold is at safe level in middle school

Tuesday, May 21, 2002

By Marlon Vaughn

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Mt. - School officials met with parents Monday to allay their fears

about hazardous mold spores in Central Middle School, but some parents

didn't seem to be convinced.

Traces of mold, which feeds off moisture, were found in a couple of the

school's rooms in December, several months after groundwater flooded its

basement.

Parents and teachers have voiced concerns about potential health hazards

from the mold. But officials from the school district, the county health

department and the environmental services firm contracted to test the school

tried to assure parents that Central is safe.

" The latest testing results go right in line with most of the other schools

in the state of Michigan, " said Henry of Nova Environmental. " I've

run into indoor mold situations 100 times worse. "

Under the direction of Nova and the Genesee County Health Department, school

officials undertook a mold-reduction program that included installing air

purifiers, wall fans to keep air fresh and hand sanitizers for students and

staff members. They also replaced carpeting and ceiling tiles in some

classrooms.

But Bethany s, a parent and former school employee, said some

students and teachers are still complaining about chronic sneezing and runny

noses.

And a few of the dozen or so parents at Monday's meeting complained about a

moldy smell in one of the classrooms.

Jim s, a teacher at the school and vice president of the teachers

union, said the district has been responsive to teachers' concerns.

" There's nothing for the majority of people to be worried about, " he said.

Officials acknowledged that people with severe allergies still might have

strong reactions to bacteria in the air at the school - as they would

anywhere else.

" Mold spores are everywhere, " said Dorothy , environmental

sanitarian for the county health department. " To some degree, they're in our

homes, in our schools ... and everywhere. "

School officials said they will continue to take steps to reduce mold, such

as replacing Central's roof to prevent flooding after heavy snows or rains.

But the eventual solution might be moving out of the aging building

altogether.

Marlon Vaughn covers neighborhoods, Mount Township, Beecher and Mount

. He can be reached at (810) 766-6324 or mvaughn@....