No more mold seen at Maple Dale Elementary school

[Guest guest]

http://enquirer.com/editions/2001/02/27/loc_no_more_mold_seen_at.html

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

No more mold seen at school

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

----

Precautions taken; Maple Dale reopens

By Sue Kiesewetter

Enquirer contributor

BLUE ASH - Maple Dale Elementary School will reopen today after

being closed two days while crews checked for mold contamination.

Last week, a ceiling tile in a storage closet was found to contain

mold. The tile was replaced.

School officials spent Monday taking precautionary measures

recommended by Ken ez, an industrial hygienist with the National

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, who specializes in mold in

buildings. Mr. ez toured the school Monday and found no visible signs

of mold.

Sycamore Schools' business manager Camp said the following

steps were taken on Mr. ez's recommendation, four days after

on-based Environmental Risk Management Inc. discovered, and then

removed, the moldy tile:

. Replaced almost 100 ceiling tiles that showed moisture stains.

. Replaced all air filters in heating systems.

. Inspected and began cleaning/repairing drains that collected

condensation in the heating system.

. Vacuumed and treated carpeting and began replacing worn or ripped

carpeting with tile.

. Had Environmental Risk Management Inc. take 30 air and 20 surface

samples throughout the building Monday that will be tested for mold

contamination.

. Brought roofing contractors to the school Monday to check for

leaks.

" We're ready to go, " Mr. Camp said Monday afternoon. " We did the

right things, and that gives me a level of assurance (that it's safe for

children). "

Last month the district contracted with Environmental Risk

Management after teachers complained about headaches and allergy symptoms.

In late January the firm took 13 surface and air samples. The results, which

the district received last Thursday, showed only one area of surface

contamination - a 2-by-4-foot ceiling tile in a closet that students did not

have access to - and no air contamination, said Krista Ramsey, district

spokeswoman.

Mrs. Ramsey said parents were sent letters over the weekend. A

question/answer session for parents with Mr. ez will be scheduled for

later this week.