Pathologist: School safe

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Pathologist: School safe

Expert says mold found in burg Early Childhood Learning

Center not a health risk.

Tuesday, October 10, 206

By ANDREA EILENBERGER

The Express Times - Easton,PA

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-

3/116045329169000.xml & coll=2

PHILLIPSBURG | Despite abnormal levels of mold previously found at

burg's Early Childhood Learning Center, the school is safe

for students and staff.

Every room in the preschool and kindergarten facility has been

tested and final results should be returned in about two weeks,

Superintendent Gordon Pethick said.

Building pathologist McGuinness told board members Monday

night the school does not pose a health risk.

" At no point were the children in jeopardy, " Pethick said.

If McGuinness suspected any risk, Pethick said officials would have

closed the building immediately.

At least one teacher reported not feeling well, possibly due to the

mold.

" The nurses are collecting that data, " as they do in any situation,

Pethick said.

The school of about 450 students opened at the beginning of the

year.

Staff noticed mold growing on some surfaces in late summer and

officials hired McGuinness to check out the building. The consultant

previously said he detected some species of " black mold " and

penicillium, or " bread mold " at the school.

Mold was found in three of the school's rooms and more was recently

found in a fourth room. The original three rooms have been

remediated and Pethick expects the fourth will be taken care of

shortly.

" I think we see the end in sight, and I'm pleased, " Pethick said.

Some of the issues contributing to the mold problem included leaky

valves and control panels which didn't detect malfunctions, he said.

Those issues have been repaired as they've been identified, he said.

Board President Rummerfield said McGuinness pointed to a

sandbox in one of the four rooms as a major contributor, at least to

that room. The sandbox includes a section with water and the wooden

cover showed high levels of mold, he said.

Mold was detected on some throw rugs in the school in August.

Maintenance crews attempted to clean them but discarded them before

school started.

McGuinness suggested school officials consider removing some of the

remaining carpet.

Pethick said the board will discuss replacing some of them with

floor tiling.

Reporter Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-

mail at aeilenberger@....