Charlotte, North Carolina, October 31st, 2022
Middle school students that attend a school in Salisbury, North Carolina began remote learning in late August after mold was discovered in the building’s HVAC system. A temporary remote learning plan was implemented so the issue could be addressed and the school building retested before students return to their classrooms.
It doesn’t take much for mold to begin to grow indoors when moisture is present. Faulty HVAC installations, water leaks, broken plumbing, flooding, and humidity issues can all result in the growth of mold. In fact, most wet or moist building materials, furnishings, and personal belongings will support the growth of mold in as short as 48 hours if there is enough moisture.
Mold growth cannot only cause property damage, it is also a potential exposure concern for anyone in the building. As mold multiplies, it produces microscopic spores that are so small they easily float through the air, creating indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues. At elevated concentrations, these can be a respiratory concern. A common response is an allergic reaction which could be immediate or delayed. For some asthmatics, mold exposure can even trigger an asthma attack. Mold is also an irritant that can cause issues with the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to it.
“It’s not uncommon for mold issues to be discovered in schools following the summer break,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Problems that can allow for the growth of mold can easily go unnoticed in buildings that are empty, or only partially utilized, for weeks or months at a time. This is why proactive building maintenance, regular inspections and responding immediately to any water, moisture or humidity issues is so important.”
EMSL Analytical, with multiple laboratories in North Carolina and dozens more across North America, works with school administrators and facility managers to help identify mold concerns. Their scientists offer microbial and other indoor environmental quality testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and even building inspection tools.
To learn more about mold or other IEQ testing services, sampling supplies, building inspection tools or monitoring instruments, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. To access IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
|