Courthouse mold issue discussed

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Courthouse mold issue discussed

Cedartown Standard - Cedartown,GA

12/19/06

By Agnes Hagin

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The Polk County Board of Commissioners plan to meet soon to discuss

a report regarding assessments of mold in Polk County Courthouse No.

1.

The report was filed by Tom Reilly. Reilly works for the Polk School

District as facilities coordinator and has experience in

environmental assessments.

Reilly visually inspected the facility for mold and sampled the air

on Nov. 15, excluding the maintenance basement area. Four air

samples and one outside control sample were collected and sent to

laboratories for analysis.

During the visual inspection, mold was found in the Tax Assessors

Records office on one piece of sheetrock centered on the east wall

of the Courthouse.

In the basement records storage area, there was a distinct musty

odor, according to Reilly's report.

Standing water was on the concrete floor. Some of the books were

inspected and mold was found.

Air samples were collected from the basement records area, tax

assessors record area, the second floor records area and the

entrance hallway.

These samples were compared to an outside sample collected during

the visit. Reilly noted that results indicated significant mold

amplification in the basement records storage area, minor

amplification in the tax assessors records office and no

amplification in the hall and previously cleaned second floor areas.

He pointed out that roof leaks have existed in the courthouse for

several months. Leaks have caused wet conditions in the second floor

records area and possibly in the basement. High humidity, defined as

greater than 60 percent, can promote mold growth.

The second floor records area was observed in early November and was

contaminated with mold. Remedial activities initiated included

removal of contaminated sheetrock, washing affected beams and

installation of a dehumidifier. These steps rendered the air space

clean, according to Air-O-Cell sampling.

The remediation techniques used were described as effective. The Tax

Assessors Records office has visible mold present. EPA protocol

states that all visible mold, regardless of the type, be removed.

The sheetrock should be removed and replaced and probable cause of

the water damage, a leaking wall vent, should be repaired, according

to the report.

The basement records storage area had a distinctive musty odor. When

examined, mold was evident on the books in storage, according to the

report.

Also noted was the fact that water was found on the floor indicating

infiltration is continuing. With so much mold present, personal

protective equipment, an N95 or greater respirator, should be

required when personnel enter this area, the report said.

Recommendations submitted include: - Fix the roof leaks as planned. -

Continue running dehumidifiers where leaks are continuing (basement

and second floor records areas) - Require N95 or greater respiratory

protection for personnel entering the basement storage area. -

Repair the leak which is causing the molded sheetrock in the Tax

Assessors records area (probably by leakage through the wall vent). -

Replace the molded sheetrock on the east wall of the Tax Assessors

record area. - In the interim, until roof leaks are fixed, install

MERV 7 or greater air filters in the HVAC system that services the

Tax Assessors records area. Conditions in the summer could cause

mold growth. - Develop a strategy for rendering the records in the

basement harmless. A decision will be needed as to whether or not to

copy, film or retain the records. If retention is required, it can

prove costly to the county. Commission Chairman Jarvis said

the report on the mold problem indicates that a meeting needs to be

held with Reilly to further discuss the situation and determine what

options should be followed. Commissioner Galloway said she

also believes that such a meeting is important to determine board

decisions that need to be made.