Anderson Restoration and Emergency Services

A classroom at Holbrook Junior/Senior High School has been closed 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

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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

ORLANDO — Florida ranks highest among 18 hurricane-region states for building codes and their enforcement, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety says.

The state got 95 points out of 100, and the institute praised its “well-developed system for regulation of all aspects of code adoption and enforcement, code enforcement training and certification, and licensing requirements for contractors and subcontractors .”

Institute President Julie Roch­man presented the findings at the National Hurricane Conference on Wednesday.

In what the agency said was the first state-by-state assessment of its kind, it cited Florida’s mandatory programs for code officials’ certification, training and continuing education, as well as its required licensing of general, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and roofing contractors.

Florida’s codes underwent a major overhaul after Hurricane Andrew slammed South Florida in 1992. There’s now a uniform code for the entire state, including Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.

“Andrew was the absolute perfect illustration of the importance of enforcement,” Rochman said.

“Florida had at the time (1992) what was considered a very robust code. But they didn’t have inspectors enforcing the code. Now it’s stronger and more uniform – and well-enforced.”

And, she said, inspectors are “licensed, they’re trained, and consumers have an avenue of appeal.”

Rochman scoffed at the argument that states such as North Carolina don’t need the same code for the hurricane-vulnerable Outer Banks that they do for their western mountain region.

“When it comes to hurricanes, they can come hundreds or thousands of miles inland,” Rochman said. And, of course, in Florida, no place is more than about 60 miles from the coast.

The agency studies states in the hurricane region because hurricanes have accounted for eight of the 10 most expensive disasters in U.S. history; six of those occurred since 2000, and damage continues to rise because of the disproportionate number of people who now live there.

Southeastern coastal counties make up only 3 percent of the total U.S. land mass but account for 15 percent of the U.S. population.

Also, their property value grew 7 percent from 2004 to 2007 and had a total value that year of $8.9 trillion, 17 percent of the insured value of all insured properties in all states.

As people continue to move to Sun Belt states, including Florida, “building codes are especially important in providing protection for newer residents who may be unfamiliar with local weather conditions and, therefore, lack an appreciation for ensuring that a builder takes hurricane loss prevention into account,” the report said.

Other states didn’t score as well as Florida, including three that went through the catastrophic Katrina in 2005. Louisiana got a 73, but Alabama and Texas got scores of 18. Mississippi was last with a score of 4.

None of the states that scored below a 20 has a mandatory statewide residential building code, the insurance institute said.

Mississippi “has virtually no regulatory process in place for building codes” and has “no statewide code, no mandatory enforcement, no programs or requirements for inspectors, and very few licensing requirements,” the report said.

By ELIOT KLEINBERG, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/storm-news/floridas-building-codes-rated-best-in-hurricane-protection-2268128.html

An elementary school teacher brought action against a school board in Virginia, alleging a deliberate exposure to excessive mold and bacteria in her classroom. She claimed a “harmful workplace environment,” but the district court ruled against her. The case landed in the U.S. Court of Appeals.

The woman taught the fourth grade at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Near the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, she noticed an increased level of humidity inside the school. She blamed accumulated moisture for books and papers being “soggy” and “warped.” Around the same time, dehumidifiers were placed throughout the school. Days later, the teacher’s eyes became irritated and “itchy.” By the second week, she was experiencing symptoms similar to allergies and later thought she might have a cold or sinus infection. She alleged that some students were suffering from comparable symptoms.

Due to the problems possibly associated with the humidity, the teacher made a request to the assistant principal for a dehumidifier. She was told that none were immediately available, so the teacher obtained one herself. The dehumidifier was used every day, which the woman asserted collected enough water each night to activate the machine’s shut-off feature.

Only about a month into the school year, the woman’s symptoms worsened and she developed a rash around her mouth that resulted in swelling. She told the assistant principal that she would need to see a physician and was allegedly told that the school was aware of a “mold problem.” The physician diagnosed her with sinusitis, bronchitis, lip inflammation and infection, and mold exposure. Other teachers told the plaintiff that school administrators would order mold testing if given proof that it was causing illness, but no action was taken after the woman brought in a note from the physician.

An administrator talked to the teacher and collected “air samples” from the classroom. Meanwhile, the teacher’s rash had spread, and her physician stated that a fungus was the cause. Administrators declared the mold spore count higher outside of the classroom – finding no excessive mold – but they did have the classroom cleaned daily in lieu of weekly. When her symptoms continued to worsen, she was told to file for worker’s compensation because she wouldn’t be covered for sick leave.

In her suit against the school board, the teacher alleged that the more frequent cleaning was the administrators’ attempt to hide the mold, even from a mold inspection company. They likewise failed to inform the company of an inspection from several years prior that uncovered excessive mold in the school. The woman further claimed that the school had a “long history” of problems and neglected the correlating health risks.
Because the woman was seeking relief for deprivation of constitutional rights, she was required to prove a “cognizable” violation – that it’s within a court’s jurisdiction. The district court believed that she had failed to do so and granted the school board’s motion to dismiss. The appeals court noted the district court’s conclusion: the teacher’s assertion of a right to be free from harm from dangerous workplace conditions did not allege a cognizable violation of a federal constitutional right. Appellate judges saw no distinction between a risk of harm and the teacher’s claim, on appeal, of a “liberty interest in bodily integrity.” Accordingly, the appeals court affirmed.

Found here: http://www.humanresourcesjournal.com/2012/03/teacher-sues-school-board-for-excessive-mold-in-classroom/

By Brittany Wallman, Sun Sentinel
12:39 p.m. EST, February 22, 2012

Nineteen current and former employees of the Broward County Courthouse have sued the county, arguing the building is “sick” and so are they.

The employees say the county’s courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale is infested with toxic mold and that tiny asbestos fibers float through the air, exposing the public and the employees to health dangers. They want financial compensation for their illnesses, and they want the courthouse evacuated, among other requests.

“I think the county totally neglected this courthouse,” said attorney and former state Sen. Skip Campbell, whose firm is handling the cases. “They are not doing their job.”

Though Broward County commissioners acknowledged the 50-year-old building’s troubles and agreed two years ago to build a new $328 million courthouse and parking complex, the lawsuits continue to mount. Campbell said he’s still talking to potential clients who fell ill and blame the building. He’s seeking damages, but also wants Broward forced to medically monitor his clients for future illnesses, a request he said could cost the county “millions of dollars,” depending on how many people sue.

Thousands in Broward County enter the courthouse each day, for jury duty or any number of legal missions.

Lawsuits had been threatened when the legal community clamored for a new courthouse, a crusade that started more than five years ago. But Campbell said those threats weren’t a political stunt.

“I was a politician for 10 years. I know what politics is all about,” Campbell said. “This case is about peoples’ health.”

The county is under pressure to move ahead with construction to replace the decaying building, which continues to spring leaks. As delays in hiring a construction company continue, the county is responsible for maintaining the building and dealing with its occasional leaks and floods.

In court documents, the county denies the presence of floating asbestos fibers and toxic mold, and argues that the state’s sovereign immunity law protects government from hefty damages. The county also rejects the idea that it was negligent in failing to test for the threats and not warning employees properly.

In the lawsuits, which are the same in content except for employee names, the woes are traced to water intrusion from the 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, and the cleanup.

County officials say the building remains a safe place to work.

“It’ll be safe for three or four years,” county official Pete Corwin assured on Tuesday, referring to the projected time to replace it.

Mold or flooding problems are dealt with as they come up, he said.

And they continue to come up.

The ninth floor — site of the courtroom for Circuit Judge Cheryl Aleman, who died a year ago of an aggressive form of lung cancer — was stripped to bare concrete, the ceiling tiles ripped out. It reopens soon. Judge Mel Grossman’s office was flooded a few months ago and had to be completely redone, for example.

The safety of the building, and the county’s poor job maintaining it, were openly discussed at a public hearing two years ago when commissioners voted for the project, devoting sales tax to it.

“People are afraid to go in there,” attorney Howard Pomerantz said at that hearing. “I can’t imagine how people who are considering becoming judges in the future feel, putting their health at issue coming in to this building.”

“Everybody agrees it’s a sick building,” County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs said that day, mentioning the cost the county would incur if it didn’t build a new one and had to “pay off the lawsuits for a sick building.”

“It hasn’t been maintained well. I mean, that’s no secret,” Clerk of Courts Howard Forman said before the commission’s “yes” vote.

Meanwhile, the 30-month construction job can’t get started.

Broward commissioners delayed a vote earlier this month to hire a construction contractor, as two warring companies fight over the bid.

“This thing was supposed to be started last August,” Campbell said. “Every week I hear they’re tearing down the parking garage and I still see it up, every time I go by.”

Broward’s judges aren’t part of the lawsuits, Chief Judge Peter Weinstein said Tuesday.

And they all recused themselves from dealing with the case. It’s been sent to the courthouse in Miami-Dade County.

bwallman@tribune.com or 954-356-4541. Twitter @browardpolitics

Info From: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-broward-courthouse-sickness-20120221,0,3386189.story

SANFORD, Fla. — A possible health issue could keep students from returning to their classroom at an elementary school in Sanford.

The school district is looking for mold, but parents say they’re being kept in the dark.

Jeff Ruttan is the father of a preschool student at Hamilton Elementary. He was surprised when WFTV told him the district is investigating his son’s school for mold.

“I’m pretty upset that I had no idea what was going on,” Ruttan said.

In fact, most parents weren’t aware until WFTV told them that the district has temporarily removed students from at least one classroom after receiving a complaint from a teacher about possible mold.

School administrators told WFTV in a text message that the move was made “in an abundance of caution” and that they have taken steps to ensure the safety of all students.

But when we tried to get more information, WFTV was stonewalled.

District officials said they can’t talk because of pending litigation. The teacher who made the complaint claims the mold made her sick.

An attorney has sent a letter to the school board on her behalf about a possible lawsuit, but that pending litigation means parents can’t get any answers either, even if it has to do with their children’s health.

“I think it’s just the right thing to do, telling the parents and getting it cleaned up,” parent Eli Zeda said.

The district’s environmental coordinator said their plan whenever mold is detected at a school is to simply “clean it.”

About 700 students attend Hamilton Elementary. The building is about 25 years old.

– Story found here: http://www.wftv.com/news/news/education/sanford-elementary-school-parents-not-told-about-m/nJGwq/

Is your home making you sick?

(NewsUSA) – Americans tend to view their homes as safe havens. What few people realize is that the air in their home can be more polluted than outdoor air, leading to health problems.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, people spend almost 90 percent of their time indoors. Due to extended exposure, indoor pollution might cause more health problems than outdoor pollution.

What causes indoor pollution? Common, synthetic materials, like paints, plastics and household cleaners, all leak chemical emissions. Sensitive people can react to anything from wax to furniture polish. Building materials, outdoor pollution, dust and other substances can create allergy symptoms.

Mold, one leading cause of indoor allergies, can grow inside and outside the home in any household component. Once it develops, mold proves impossible to completely remove, making it an especially serious threat. Mold can grow wherever water flows. Water intrusion can lead to mold growth within 24 hours.

The Mayo Clinic estimated that over 40 million Americans suffered from chronic sinus infections and that 96 percent of those cases were caused by molds. According to the Centers for Disease Control, indoor allergens can lead to infections and respiratory problems.

A Certified Environmental Home Inspector (CEHI) from Environmental Safeguard Professionals (www.espusa.net), a company that performs EcoCheck Inspection to address environmental issues in residential buildings, asks Americans to look for the following signs of poor indoor air health:

- Have you had problems with floods or leaks? Even the smallest damp area allows mold to grow. Mold can also hide in ceilings, walls and attics.

- Have you or any of your family members suffered from unexplained respiratory problems, chronic headaches, coughing or congestion?

- Is your home well ventilated? Poor ventilation helps mold grow. To prevent mold growth, keep air moving and humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent.

If you suspect mold, call a professional to inspect your home. A CEHI can identify the types of mold in your home and determine the best way to remove it.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting… (Original article found here: http://www.news8000.com/Is-your-home-making-you-sick/-/262/8601926/-/398tb9z/-/ )

Mold and Mildew Remediation

Not all companies are certified for mold and mildew remediation tasks. Ever ask the question, “Why is mold remediation required?”

Without remediation, mold can lead to serious health hazards like:

- Allergies
- Respiratory problems like asthma
- Headaches
- Eye infections
- Inflammation

There are some common places where mold infestation generally occurs like:

- Leaking roofs
- Pipe leakages
- Basement
- Attic
- Potted Plants

After the initial mold testing and identification of the areas of molds growth, the work of remediation should be handled by a company having wide experience in this field. Anderson Restoration and Emergency Services is certified by The Institution of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to conduct the remediation of molds. The manpower from the team of technicians in the company are highly skilled and trained to remove infestation without any hiccups.

Since molds flourish in organic spaces with high moisture content, the first task for ARES is to identify and restrict the source of moisture, use biocides to eradicate mold infestation and lastly, encapsulate the mold – this is the basic outline for mild and mildew remediation. The cost for mold and mildew treatment depends upon the depth of infestation. If multiple areas are affected, then charges multiply accordingly.

Anderson Restoration and Emergency Services can accomplish this task in a short span of time and make the air fresh effortlessly– fit to breathe again! The company services are just a call away! A.R.E.S guarantees satisfaction from their services.

__________________________________

Anderson Restoration & Emergency Services
904-827-9919
407-616-8686
www.AndersonRestoration.com

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

1.Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

2.There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3.If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4.Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

5.Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.

6.Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7.Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.

8.Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.

9.In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).

10.Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
If you have IAQ and mold issues in your school, you should get a copy of the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit. Mold is covered in the IAQ Reference Guide under Appendix H – Mold and Moisture.

From: http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html

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If you have questions, please contact Anderson Restoration & Emergency Services
1-877-543-2737
407-616-8686
904-827-9919
AndersonRestoration@gmail.com

Molds are multi-cellular fungi formation in the form of filaments. They develop anywhere and require immediate testing. Mold testing involves identification of ‘mold hot spots’ and then detect and control their formation through the help of devices such as infrared cameras and moisture meters. The mold inspectors conduct thorough search and collects air and surface samples for microscopic analysis. The comprehensive report helps to know the mold type and suggest remedial measures.

Anderson Restoration and Emergency Services is one of the largest growing mold testing & mold remediation companies currently in Florida. They are certified by the Environmental Solutions Association to conduct mold tests. The company correspondence is both prompt and swift. The mold inspectors have the ability to collect air, swab, tape, carpet and wall samples. The samples are sent to the laboratory and reports are provided within 48 hours. The testing results identify which area of the home or business is affected with molds like Penicillium and Aspergillus.

The company has built its goodwill and brand value on the strength of their service quality, experience manpower, and technological advancements. In the field for the last 13 years, the company has the best team available for quick and efficient rendering of services. Once the company is contacted, their representatives function diligently and begin with the case of mold testing by visiting your house or business first. Choose Anderson Restoration and Emergency Services for their satisfaction guarantee claim and see for yourself their amazing services. Find out for sure if your home are business is mold-free. The company services are just a call away!

ARES article by Chitra
___________________________________
Anderson Restoration & Emergency Services
1-877-543-2737
904-827-9919
407-616-8686
AndersonRestoration@gmail.com

Found this article about Pulte and I know they build homes here in Florida too:

In November, John and Mary Jo Rossini began noticing black grit on their kitchen counters.

When neighbor and certified home inspector Bob Flaherty examined the house in Sun City Hilton Head, he found moisture levels behind their stove three times higher than expected. The black grit was mold, and it was eating through the walls, Flaherty said.

“Where water had gotten in, mold started to grow … You could put your hand right through it; it was that rotten,” Flaherty said. “They lost the structural integrity of the house. The studs were full of mold — they were spongy soft. There was so much moisture in the wall we opened that spots almost had running water coming out of it.”

Although the Rossinis’home is an extreme example, mold has occasionally turned up inside the walls of homes with stucco exteriors elsewhere in the Lowcountry.

Mold thrives in damp conditions where it has something to feed on, like wood, Flaherty said.

The culprit at the Rossinis’ home, according to Flaherty, was stucco improperly applied when the house was built in 2006.The Rossinis moved in that December, John Rossini said.

According to George Hutchinson of Spring Construction in Bluffton, moisture intrusion from some types of stucco imperfections can be prevented by inspections done before the outer coats of stucco are applied.

Beaufort County requires these inspections, said Arthur Cummings, director of building inspection and code enforcement. They weren’t enough to protect the Rossinis’ home, however, and it is unclear whether theirs is an isolated incident.

When John Chakeris, a Charleston-based attorney, attempted to build a class-action lawsuit against Pulte Homes in 2008 for improper stucco application on Sun City homes, about 700 homeowners wanted to join the suit. But the court refused to handle it as a class-action case. On Thursday, Chakeris said he is representing about 140 Sun City homeowners in ongoing lawsuits over stucco problems against Pulte Homes or SC State Plaster, the contractor Pulte hired to do the stucco work.

After inspecting 30 Sun City homes for pockets of moisture that can lead to destabilizing mold, Flaherty, a retired mechanical engineer, said he found four with problems severe enough to require at least part of a wall to be replaced and three with more minor issues.

These findings prompted homeowners at a Crescent Creek neighborhood meeting May 17 to ask Derek Morgan, a Pulte Homes representative, whether the Sun City developer would inspect all the homes in the neighborhood, said Mary Jo Rossini. Morgan said no, according to Rossini.

Caryn Klebba, Pulte Homes spokeswoman, said homeowners asked representatives of the company to attend the neighborhood meeting, but could not confirm the topics discussed.

“Unless we found something that we believed was a possible issue in other homes, we would not inspect all homes in a community based on an issue at one home,” Klebba wrote in an e-mail Wednesday. “We encourage any resident who believes they have an issue with their home to contact us. In our opinion, we have not found a reason to inspect all homes.”

Pulte began repairing the damaged walls of the Rossinis’ home Jan. 26, and as of Thursday, only small touch-ups remained, John Rossini said. Pulte has borne the repair costs under the Rossinis’ five-year warranty agreement, according to Klebba.

Flaherty encouraged homeowners to have their walls inspected. If they discover problems after their warranties expire, “they’re on the hook” for what could be a lot of money, he said.