Although most black mold found in homes and buildings are non-toxic, there is also the toxic variety which can always grow in any building that isn’t properly maintained. Perhaps the most common dangerous mold is the Stachybotrys, which excretes a mycotoxin that can damage the healthy cells in our bodies.
Testing toxic mold in schools is not to be taken lightly as severe health problems can be experienced by your children when molds are left to thrive where they are.
In 1999, South Carolina was given a wake-up call when it was found that two of their schools tested positive for Stachybotrys. Schoolchildren experienced symptoms ranging from coughing, nasal congestion, and headaches to nosebleeds, ear infection, and shortness of breath.
When parents got wind of the contamination, they started pulling their children out of the school and in the end, a total of roughly $1.9 million had been spent cleaning the buildings and the campus grounds to get rid of the nasty mold. The remaining schoolchildren were relocated to temporary classrooms while men testing toxic mold had to wear protective gear from head to toe.
Every wall board and ceiling board was tested and those found to be contaminated, stripped away. In a short while, the second school tested positive as well for the toxic mold, and after months of cleanup, the students started experiencing toxic mold syndrome symptoms.
Acording to an official government report, about 20% of the U.S.’ 80,000 public schools are given a failure rating for indoor air quality testing. Programs have since been put in place, teaching administrators cost-effective measures to prevent the growth of indoor contaminants.
Below are a few of these tips:
Keep humidity levels low. Agencies suggest having a gauge in each classroom. Ideally, the level should never exceed 60%.
Perform a general cleaning before the start of every school year. When air conditioning is not used for extended periods, such as during the summer vacation, toxic mold sickness symptoms can establish themselves in the ducts and multiply at a very rapid rate, especially in hot and humid places.
Treat moist carpeting. Schools have a lot of areas with high traffic. Moisture can be tracked in by people coming in and out of the school offices, which are sometimes carpeted. And since most carpeted offices do not enjoy the luxury of a free-flowing ventilation, the moisture gets trapped there until mold growth takes over.
Don’t go for cosmetic building repairs. Due to limited budgets, rotting wood or mold-infested ceiling boards may be ‘disguised’ with a coat of fresh paint. Not all paints can prevent mold growth, and the problem just gets worse when this is resorted to.
Parents and school administrators must always work hand in hand to make sure that their children’s schools are safe havens away form home.
Although most black mold found in homes and buildings are non-toxic, there is also the toxic variety which can always grow in any building that isn’t properly maintained. Perhaps the most common dangerous mold is the Stachybotrys, which excretes a mycotoxin that can damage the healthy cells in our bodies.
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