PD air quality OK, but mold present

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PD air quality OK, but mold present

The Fayette Citizen

Thu, 08/17/2006 - 4:26pmBy: Munford

http://www.thecitizen.com/node/9442

But moisture likely coming from ground, consultant says

To little surprise, recent air quality tests at the Peachtree City

Police Headquarters confirmed the presence of mold.

Although the air samples showed " fungal particulate " at levels lower

than or comparable to that found in outside air, mold is growing in

the building and has to be cleaned routinely, according to the

report filed by Eagle Indoor Air.

The Eagle consultant surmises that the building's moisture problem

is due to groundwater seeping into the building, as the humidity

inside the building is high, topping out at 80 percent in one room.

Indoor humidity ideally should be between 35 and 50 percent,

according to Eagle.

" No mold mitigation/remediation program will be successful until the

source of the moisture is located and eliminated, " the report

stated, recommending further geotechnical work. " The building should

be aggressively dehumidified to keep mold growth to a minimum and to

preserve sensitive equipment, evidence and other items. "

The station opened in 2001 and was built on a tract of land formerly

used as a dump adjacent to the city's original wastewater treatment

plant off Ga. Highway 74 south of Drive. Former and current

city officials indicate the building was not constructed on top of a

dump area.

The contractor on the project was Contracting and the

engineering firm responsible for design was Don Cobb and Associates.

In addition to the geotechnical work, Eagle is recommending that the

water be tested for hazardous materials.

" No major water issues stemming from leaks, storm water damage or

other obvious culprits could be found, " the report said. " The water

infiltrating the building is likely groundwater; it is possible that

the old landfill near the building has trapped a large amount of

moisture. This moisture could now be seeping into the building. "

The city has set aside $300,000 in this year's budget for repairs to

the police station to fix the moisture problem, though that is a

ballpark figure not based on any specific plan to upgrade the

facility to address the issue.

" We are committed to solving the moisture problems at the building, "

said Mayor Harold Logsdon. " While it should be reassuring to

employees working in the police station that the air quality does

not pose a hazard, the city will continue to address the moisture

problems. "

The moisture problems have caused multiple problems with the

building, including the bubbling of carpet adhesive, damp drywall

and warped wood fixtures. In one room, a number of law books had to

be thrown out because they were so overcome by mold, and others had

to be meticulously cleaned.

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