High School classroom closes due to mold
Superintendent of Schools Joseph Baeta recently told school committee members that tests found high levels of mold spores in Room 101, forcing officials to close it. An outside company was contracted to test the school for mold due to concerns about water leaks and ventilation unit issues.
“There has been significant water leaking into the building over the years,” he said. “There have been leaks from pipes, the roof, and drainage system.”
Baeta said that 10 areas were tested, including some classrooms and offices chosen at random.
“Nine of the areas tested came back normal, but Room 101 had elevated levels,” he said.
Baeta said that a leak in the classroom’s ventilation system was repaired and the air retested.
“There was a significant drop, over 78 percent, in the spore level, but it is still considered elevated,” he said.
The room remains closed and a contractor will be working over the April 16 vacation week to complete repairs.
All three schools were also tested for carbon dioxide levels as part of the ventilation system preventive maintenance plan.
“All ventilation system thermostats and parts were tested,” Baeta said.
He said that the acceptable level is 300 to 600 parts per million, and three randomly chosen classrooms were found to have above normal levels. Baeta said a junior/senior high school classroom had 1,300 parts per million, a South Elementary School classroom tested for 1,400 parts per million and a classroom at John F. Kennedy Elementary School had 1,337 parts per million.
The testing company identified $107,000 in needed ventilation system repairs and upgrades. Baeta plans to put out bids in May or June and have needed repairs completed by the end of August. He said the air quality would be significantly improved once the repairs are completed.
The schools will be tested again in the fall by a third-party vendor once the recommended upgrades are completed over the summer.
Baeta is also seeking to have all three schools undergo mold testing and remediation over the summer. The school committee is preparing a Town Meeting article seeking funding to pay for the repairs and tests.
Baeta is also looking to hire a consultant to oversee the development and implementation of a mold testing and remediation plan. The teachers’ union has requested that the district use a state teachers’ union industrial hygienist to review the schools’ air quality. The school committee is looking into have its own hygienist work with the state representative.
Found here: http://www.wickedlocal.com/holbrook/news/x760622899/Holbrook-Junior-Senior-High-School-classroom-closes-due-to-mold-H-CAM-VIDEO#axzz1ssgFWxyq
-
Mold Testting and Mold Removal
Anderson Restoration & Emergency Services
www.AndersonRestoration.com
1-877-543-A.R.E.S. (2737)
407-616-8686
904-827-9919
State Certified Mold Assessor
State Certified Mold Remediator
IICRC Certified Firm
IAQA Certified Firm
BBB Certified Firm












