Mold problems to be fixed by fall - Young School, Saco, Maine

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Tuesday, July 27, 1999

Mold problems to be fixed by fall

By ANDREW D. RUSSELL, Staff Writer

SACO — School officials on Monday approved a plan to spend $35,000 to fix

moldy bricks, tiles and carpeting at Young School that experts say are

making students and staff sick.

Superintendent Gerald Clockedile said Monday the repairs are needed because

an engineering study found that water leaking into the walls was creating

mold and mildew between the carpeting and the tiles in the elementary

school's north wing.

Clockedile said the source of the water leak was a sand pile placed at the

corner of the building several years ago for kids to play on. The sand pile

captured water and moisture, which then seeped through the bricks and under

the carpets of four classrooms, the superintendent said.

The result was not only high levels of mildew and mold, but an influx of

ants beneath the carpets, he said.

" For some reason the mildew had not become airborne, but it was significant

enough to create some reaction for people, " Clockedile said.

The leaks resulted in higher than usual concentrations of two molds,

aspergillus and penicillum, which are believed to be the source of

complaints about health problems at the school.

" It's nice to have identified a cause and be able to identify a solution to

that cause and take action, " Clockedile said.

Teachers, parents and students have complained for years about various

health problems, ranging from allergies and breathing problems to flu-like

symptoms and lethargy.

The complaints led the city to spend $250,000 fixing Young School's heating

and ventilation system. When that failed to eliminate the problem, officials

closed the north wing and moved 100 students and 10 staff members to the gym

of the Fairfield School for the rest of the school year.

The sand pile has been removed. But under a plan approved by the School

Committee on Monday night, all of the carpets will be removed and the

asbestos tiles underneath will be replaced with vinyl ones.

Work will also be done to remortar and better seal the bricks inside and

outside the building. Clockedile said he also plans to have the entire wing

of the school sanitized, and the heating and ventilation treated with a

bio-aerosol.

At present there are no plans to install new carpeting in the classrooms

affected by the work. " Not until we're absolutely certain that we've

eliminated any intrusion, " he said.

Clockedile said he hopes to have the repairs finished before school opens

Sept. 1.