Mold Outbreak at Newry, Maine, Ski Resort

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http://www.hotel-online.com/Neo/News/2002_Jun_13/k.PRS.1023991330.html

Inspectors Examine Mold Outbreak at Newry, Maine, Ski Resort

By Tux Turkel, Portland Press Herald, Maine

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jun. 13--Industrial hygiene experts have been called to the Jordan Grand

Hotel at the Sunday River ski area in Newry following an outbreak of mold

inside the 4-year-old building, the resort said Wednesday.

No health problems have been reported, the resort said, and the building is

safe for guests and staff.

" We have some mold-related problems at the Jordan Grand Hotel, " said

DuPlessis, a Sunday River spokeswoman.

" We're in the process of rectifying that. "

Engineers are expected to conduct tests in the hotel over the next few weeks

to determine the extent of the problem.

Mold is becoming more widely recognized as a health concern in buildings

across the United States. It typically grows in damp environments, often

caused by roof or plumbing leaks.

There are many types of mold, however, and most pose no trouble for healthy

people.

But toxic mold has shut down buildings in Maine, including Jack School in

Portland and Lincolnville Central School. And because there are no clear

federal regulations on exposure limits or cleanup methods, dealing with mold

can be complex.

The Sunday River mold was found last month when workers were starting

renovations on the hotel's steam room and discovered mold growing behind a

wall, DuPlessis said. They recognized the potential for trouble and notified

management.

The Jordan Grand Hotel has 186 rooms, some of which are owned through time

share arrangements, and a conference center. It is separate from the

resort's older Grand Summit Resort Hotel.

Sunday River has contracted with Biosafe Environmental Services of Westbrook

to inspect the building and recommend remedial action. Mark , the

company's president, said Wednesday that it's too early to characterize the

problem or clearly identify the type of mold that's present.

A team of structural and mechanical engineers will soon inspect the

building, he said.

" There isn't enough data to offer any conclusion or interpretation, " he

said.

DuPlessis said the resort has met with the 50 or so workers at the Jordan

Grand Hotel and has informed the condominium association.

" This is something we're working on with our employees, " she said. " We don't

want to get anyone into a panic. There's no need to. "

-----To see more of the Portland Press Herald, or to subscribe to the

newspaper, go to http://www.portland.com

© 2002, Portland Press Herald, Maine. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune

Business News.