Mold issues biggest in new school construction

Short-, long-term solutions

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By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Mold issues are most pronounced in the newest sections of District 88 school buildings, according to a comprehensive study by the Institute for Environmental Assessment, presented to the public Tuesday by the project's manager, IEA Mankato Office Manager Chandler Holland.

The study found that mold contamination is worst in school additions built in 1997-1998, said Holland, addressing about 20 people present, including school officials, board members and a dozen parents and students. In contrast, the district's oldest building, the Middle School, showed little, if any, mold contamination.

Holland located several "hot spots." These include 10-12 newer classrooms at Jefferson Elementary, 3-4 classrooms at Washington Elementary, the crawl space at both schools, and the district office building. High mold levels were found in sheetrock near windows and around ventilators, and in pipe insulation at the elementary and office buildings.

At the high school, problems were largely contained to pipe insulation in mechanical and basement storage areas (including the band area).

Holland said that for the short term, mold in sheet rock is fairly well contained behind vinyl wall paper, resulting in "minimum exposure."

The study, which contains some 3,000 pages of samples, documents and recommendations, also found "a wide variation" of ventilation levels throughout school buildings.

Holland recommended several steps to deal with mold and ventilation problems until they can be addressed in a "more controlled environment" next summer. The short-term measures include adjusting ventilation systems so that they perform at their optimum capacity, carpet cleaning and/or removal in the worst areas, ongoing monitoring to record potential changes, and training health care staff to recognize and address potential fungal exposure issues.

Holland also discussed a set of long-term recommendations, which would be addressed over next summer. These include mold removal from, and sanitizing of, the "hot spots," dedicating special ventilation systems to the media centers, and installing power-driven exhaust systems.

Some parents present expressed concerns about the lack of standards on what constitutes acceptable mold levels. Some took issue with the "minimal exposure" assessment, arguing that their children have exhibited symptoms indicative of more than a minimal exposure.

Dr. Richard Morris, an allergy and asthma care specialist from Maple Grove, who was on hand to answer medical questions, argued that it would be very hard to isolate mold as an irritant, with many other environmental factors complicating the picture.