Toxic black mold contaminating parts of Public Library

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http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/080802toxicmold.htm

August 8, 2002

Toxic black mold contaminating parts of Public Library

By JOHN LeBAS

Eagle Staff Writer

The black mold contaminating parts of the Public Library is toxic, but

the growth was discovered before it became a health threat, city officials

said Wednesday.

The library remains open, although some library employees were moved out of

their offices after mold was found on a nearby air vent. No one has reported

health problems, and an inspection team determined that the low levels of

mold didn't warrant closing the building.

" This team had the authority to shut us down but chose not to do so, " city

spokesman Jay Socol said.

Mold in buildings can provoke a hay fever-like allergic reaction in

sensitive people and can cause more serious health problems for people with

immune or respiratory ailments.

The mold growth was found last week and revealed to the City Council

on Tuesday. Most of the mold is confined the library's basement, which

contains no books, documents or offices and is not open to the public.

An inspection was ordered after the library reported to the city that the

air-conditioning system wasn't cooling well. A team consisting of a doctor,

an engineer, a microbiologist and a mold-remediation consultant tested the

building for mold contamination.

Heavy mold growth was found on the cooling coils of an air conditioning

unit, said Mark Hollas, department manager for facilities and fleet

services. The toxic stachybotyros mold was also detected in air ducts and

pipe insulation.

Community Librarian Clara Mounce had to temporarily move from her office

after black mold was found on an air vent in the room. Workers in an

adjacent office were also relocated as a precaution.

" We've been through a fire, and we've been through other things, so we think

we can handle this, " Mounce said.

One of two library books sampled at random was found to have mold growth.

More sampling will be done to determine if other books are contaminated,

Hollas said.

Air monitoring in the public areas of the library showed no presence of

toxic molds, according to the consultant's preliminary report. Culture

samples were taken in the same locations and may show different results when

they're ready next week.

Hollas described the original estimate of abatement costs - $300,000 - as

" real rough " and said the amount could change after the mold consultant

decides how the city should proceed. Equipment and clean-up costs won't be

known until the consultant delivers a final plan Aug. 16.

According to a preliminary report, much of the basement is unfinished, with

a dirt floor. The floor allows water to enter, encouraging mold growth. The

high humidity in the basement requires the immediate installation of

dehumidifying equipment, the consultant said.

Killing the mold with a fungicide will probably take a few hours, Hollas

said. But the cleanup could take a couple of weeks.

The library was built in 1968. After a 1995 fire, crews scraped and cleaned

the ceilings and walls throughout the building, so it's likely the mold

appeared since then.

Kirk, 's risk management department manager, said she was

uncertain whether the cleanup costs will be covered by insurance.

" Once we get a full report from the remediation firm, then we'll submit it

to our insurance carrier for review, " she said.

has been testing city facilities for mold contamination since January,

Socol said. None has been found in buildings other than the library.

.. LeBas' e-mail address is jlebas@....