Salem High School is free of mold

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http://www.detnews.com/2002/metro/0208/19/b01-565481.htm

Salem High School is free of mold

Canton Township will conduct air quality tests weekly following $100,000

cleanup project

By Sheri Hall / The Detroit News

CANTON TOWNSHIP -- Environmental cleanup crews removed black mold from a

hall ceiling in Salem High School last week and will continue weekly air

quality tests.

The mold grew on tiles and insulation above the ceiling, which were wet

with condensation that dripped from heating and cooling system pipes.

After crews removed the contaminated material, air tests showed very low

levels of mold inside the buildings, interim Supt. Jim said.

" The air inside the building is cleaner than the air outside right now, "

he said.

The condensation formed because heating and cooling pipes were

inadequately insulated, said. The district installed higher-quality

materials.

Teachers and janitors will be asked to watch for additional wet ceiling

tiles, said. " If a staff member has a concern, we'll check the air

quality more frequently (than once a week). We're not messing around with

this, " he said.

Mold can lead to breathing problems and even neurological damage in

severe cases.

The Environmental Protection Agency, based on a random survey, estimates

that half of the nation's 88,000 schools may have indoor air quality

problems.

But that's just an estimate. No one knows how many schools are affected

because no one is responsible for monitoring school air quality except the

schools themselves. No state or federal laws regulate indoor air quality in

schools, so agencies like the EPA can only suggest, not enforce, air

standards inside buildings.

Black mold has infested several other schools in Metro Detroit, including

the administration building at Hamtramck Schools, the University of Detroit

Mercy and Washington Elementary School in Romeo. The problem has cost Metro

Detroit districts millions of dollars.

estimated the problem will cost Plymouth-Canton Schools at least

$100,000.

" It's a costly emergency, but that's why we have our rainy-day fund, " he

said. " Our biggest concerns are safety and panic. Mold is a tough problem,

and I don't want people to panic. I want them to know what's going on. "

You can reach Sheri Hall at (734) 354-4047 or shall@....