Mold found in STC assisted-living center

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Mold found in STC assisted-living center

By NICK SWEDBERG

nswedberg@...

Illinois

http://www.kcchronicle.com/MainSection/360753436747495.php

ST. CHARLES – Air quality tests have been ordered at a local

assisted-living facility after mold was discovered behind wallpaper.

Carroll Towers property manager declined to name the

company she asked to conduct the tests, but said that a preliminary

inspection of the mold showed it to be a minor problem.

" We're doing what we can and we're testing some samples ... It's not

a big deal, " said.

It was recently discovered that a water boiler in the building,

located at 200 N. Second St., had leaked and water infiltrated a

section of a wall near the elevator shaft.

The leak since has been fixed, said. She hopes to learn more

information from the air quality company inspectors over the

weekend.

A city of St. building inspector visited the facility

Thursday, said Bob Vann, Building and Zoning Commissioner. He said

the inspector had not filed a report and did not know if a full

inspection of the mold had been done.

Mold issues are particularly difficult to categorize and the city

does not have a set standard for determining health concerns from

mold, Vann said.

" There's really no standard set or criteria, " he said. " I mean, it

affects people different ways. "

did not indicate whether any residents had complained of

health issues.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides funds

for Section 8 government-assisted housing in the tower.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends avoiding indoor

mold growth.

Molds reproduce through tiny spores that are invisible to the naked

eye and float through the air, according to the EPA. Mold can start

growing indoors when the spores land on wet surfaces.

Molds have the potential to cause health problems, according to the

U.S. EPA. Molds produce allergens, irritants and potentially toxic

substances in some cases.

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