Re:Mold In Work Environment

[Guest guest]

,

Having been in the same situation, I would have a few of suggestions for your friend.

1.) Have someone call OSHA anonymously. I will warn you however, OSHA came out to my school, attached at the hip to District administration. They did some very cursory air testing and proclaimed the building in compliance for IAQ (no mold testing). Unfortunately (for them), the custodian overheard a conversation between the the two of them and notified me right away that something was suspicious. I was shocked, as I had every confidence in OSHA at that point. Soooo....

2.) CAREFULLY (gloves, masks, full protection) gather samples of ceiling tile, etc.. anywhere the suspected mold is..bag it, label it, and send it to Aerotech Labs in Phoenix. (uhhh..yes...I just "happened" across a ceiling tile that had been thrown in the garbage when they replaced it with a new one instead of doing their usual..."paint over it" job. I love the custodian!!!!). This will cost your friend (it was $125 for the sample I took in), but it will get results. 3.) If your friend can get permission (fat chance), have him hire an outside firm to test the environment. ($$$$$$$$$) 4.) DO NOT settle for an IAQ test done by the school system, if they agree to have one done at their expense and it comes back clean. (yup...did that, too...that was actually after OSHA had been there and there were still major problems. The company the District used held a meeting with the staff, explaining the "perceived" problem of the person in Room 45 (ohhh...could that be...ME?????) and claiming the room and the school were mold free. I suppose I'm lucky to have my job, as I took the samples in, had them tested, and sent the results to the superintendent and the head of Operations.)

5.) Wish your friend "GOOD LUCK!" and offer continued support...the road ahead is frustrating, eye-opening, and extremely bumpy. Most important: DON'T GIVE UP!!!!

Speaking from experience,

Ann A.