North Butler CSD. Mold Survey North Butler Elementary. Allison, Iowa

Transcription

1 North Butler CSD Mold Survey North Butler Elementary Report Completed July 16, 2015

2 Summary North Butler Community School District On June 29, 2015, Craig Black of EMC conducted an indoor air quality and mold investigation in the elementary corridor at North Butler Elementary in. The purpose of this investigation was to assist the school district in response to public concerns with stained ceiling panels, a small water damaged section of a ceiling panel, and to provide recommendations or control strategies. The investigation was conducted at the request of Mr. Joel Foster, who also served as the primary point of contact. The corridor was full of furniture from classrooms with the furniture surfaces having minimal amounts of dust or debris. There were no observed areas of mold growth on visible surfaces. No surface samples were collected during the survey. The spore trap air samples collected in the elementary corridor had an airborne spore count greater than EMC s benchmark. The recommendations below are initial action items to improve the general indoor air quality at North Butler Elementary School. If the recommendations have limited success with indoor air quality improvement, please contact EMC for further investigation. Recommendations 1. Repair Water Damaged Section of Ceiling: Visual examination of the ceiling material in the elementary corridor indicated some mold growth on the top side of the drywall ceiling material that was removed during the survey. Remove the approximately two-square feet of damaged drywall and clean in accordance with the recommended guidelines: EPA s document, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings and New York City Dept. of Health, Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology, Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments. 2. Paint Tectum Ceiling Panels: Several water stains were observed on the bottom of the tectum panels in the elementary corridor. To improve the appearance of the corridor ceiling, the tectum could be repainted with a stain resistant paint to cover the discolored surfaces. 3. Additional Down-Spout: The north end of the gutter near the middle school entrance was leaking and allowing water to run down the exterior wall of the building. The water was observed pooling next to the foundation of the building. Install an additional downspout to ensure the water from the gutter is directed away from the foundation of the building. This survey was conducted by Employers Mutual Casualty Company or an affiliated insurance company. Our report and recommendations based on this survey are provided for your consideration for risk management purposes only and are based on information provided to and the observations and regulatory knowledge of our employee conducting the survey as of the date of the survey. Because your circumstances, the organization s setting and applicable laws may change without notice to us, neither you, your organization, your employees nor any other person should rely on our report or recommendations as a basis that there exists regulatory compliance, as assurance against preventable losses, or as freedom from legal liability should a loss occur. 1

3 North Butler Community School District Background The elementary building in, is a Pre-K through fourth grade building for the school district. The building also houses the middle school for the district. The building has a brick veneer exterior over concrete block walls. Some classrooms and the corridors throughout the building are carpeted. The investigation was conducted in the elementary corridor and in the corridor outside the middle school office. Several parents are concerned with the air quality and potential mold growth in the elementary corridor due to a small area of damaged ceiling material and several stains on the bottom of the tectum ceiling panels. Indoor air quality (IAQ) incorporates many factors that can affect an individual s health. Inadequate ventilation, moisture and humidity issues, sources of pollutants, and human comfort factors may have an impact on building occupants. A common IAQ issue is the presence of biological contaminants. Over time, dust particles and debris accumulates on surfaces and provides optimal conditions for biologic agents to grow. With human activity and ventilation systems, these biologic agents can become airborne. Biological sampling assists in determining whether biologic agents present in the environment are influencing or causing health issues in certain individuals. Determining the location of potential biologic sources helps promote effective remediation. A visual assessment of the entire elementary corridor and a kindergarten room was conducted. There was no noticeable musty odor or evidence of mold growth observed on visible surfaces in the building. Two indoor spore trap air samples were collected (elementary corridor, outside middle school office) during the survey. Also, an outdoor air sample was collected for comparison purposes. Results and Discussion The sampling results are only representative of those conditions present during the collection of the samples. Photographic documentation of the sampling and additional observations are included in Appendix A. Analytical results can be found in Appendix B. Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System The HVAC system utilizes several boilers to produce hot water that is pumped through a perimeter piping system to the passive (fin and tube) radiator units located in each classroom and the corridors throughout the building. The building is cooled by window mounted air conditioning units located in each room of the building. Water Intrusion/Moisture Several tectum ceiling panels in the elementary corridor are stained from previous roof leaks. A small area of water damaged drywall ceiling is also located in the elementary corridor. These leaks occurred prior to the district installing a pitched standing-seam metal roof over the entire building. Since installation of the metal roof no water intrusions have occurred. To eliminate the water stained spots on the bottom of the tectum panels, refer to the tectum painting recommendation. 2

4 North Butler Community School District Sampling Data An explanation of the fungi sampling strategy and sampling data interpretation used during the investigation is available upon request. Airborne mold allergens can trigger allergy-type symptoms in sensitive individuals. Three spore trap air samples were collected to provide a snapshot of the mold spore levels in the air at the time of sampling. They were collected for 5 minutes each using Allergenco-D sampling cassettes connected to a Quick Take 30 sampling pump calibrated at 15 liters per minute (lpm). There are no federal or state regulatory standards for airborne mold spores and components. EMC utilizes a benchmark of less than 900 spores per cubic meter (spores/ m 3 ) for an indoor spore concentration. The samples were analyzed using direct microscopic examination by an accredited environmental laboratory. Area/Room Elementary Corridor Entrance Corridor Outdoor Table 3: Spore Trap Air Samples No. of Total Spore Location Spore Count Types (Spores/m 3 ) Near entrance to room 218 Corridor near the middle school office Middle school entrance five-feet from the building Within Typical Outdoor Data 5 1,300 No Yes ,000 No The results of the outdoor spore trap air sample indicated three (Ascospores, Basidiospores, and Cladosporium) of the eleven molds identified were at levels outside the statistical data range when compared to typical outdoor data for the month of June in the state of Iowa. The elevated spore count outdoors may be the result of the rainy and windy condition during the survey. The indoor spore trap air sample in the elementary corridor contained total spore counts of 1,300 spores per cubic meter (spores/m 3 ) which exceeded EMC s benchmark of less than 900 spores/m 3 of air. Lab analysis indicated the sample contained moderate to high amounts of background debris and hyphal fragments. Due to the previous water intrusions from years ago and removing a small section of the damaged ceiling material, the growth on top of the damaged section of the ceiling is the likely source of the indoor spores identified in the air sample collected in the elementary corridor. Refer to the water damaged ceiling recommendation. 3

5 North Butler Community School District Appendix A Monitoring - Photographs 4

6 North Butler Community School District Observations/Sampling Air Sampling Air sample collected near room 218. Air sample collected in corridor south of MS office. Outdoor spore trap air sample was collected five feet from MS entrance. 5

7 North Butler Community School District Other Observation Water was observed leaking out of the north end of the gutter, running down the wall of the building and pooling at the foundation. An additional down-spout should be installed to transport the moisture away from the buildings foundation. Refer to the additional down-spout recommendation. 6

8 North Butler Community School District Appendix B Analytical Results 7

9 Report for: Mr. Craig Black EMC Insurance Companies 717 Mulberry - E10S Des Moines, IA Regarding: Project: North Butler CSD; Mold investigation in the elementary building in EML ID: Approved by: Dates of Analysis: Spore trap analysis: Technical Manager Dr. Kamashwaran Ramanathan Service SOPs: Spore trap analysis (EM-MY-S-1038) AIHA-LAP, LLC accredited service, Lab ID # All samples were received in acceptable condition unless noted in the Report Comments portion in the body of the report. Due to the nature of the analyses performed, field blank correction of results is not applied. The results relate only to the items tested. EMLab P&K ("the Company") shall have no liability to the client or the client's customer with respect to decisions or recommendations made, actions taken or courses of conduct implemented by either the client or the client's customer as a result of or based upon the Test Results. In no event shall the Company be liable to the client with respect to the Test Results except for the Company's own willful misconduct or gross negligence nor shall the Company be liable for incidental or consequential damages or lost profits or revenues to the fullest extent such liability may be disclaimed by law, even if the Company has been advised of the possibility of such damages, lost profits or lost revenues. In no event shall the Company's liability with respect to the Test Results exceed the amount paid to the Company by the client therefor. EMLab P&K, LLC EMLab ID: , Page 1 of 2

10 Client: EMC Insurance Companies C/O: Mr. Craig Black Re: North Butler CSD; Mold investigation in the elementary building in SPORE TRAP REPORT: NON-VIABLE METHODOLOGY Location: : Elementary corridor outside room 218 EMLab P&K 1150 Bayhill Drive, Suite 100, San Bruno, CA (866) Fax (650) Date of Sampling: Date of Receipt: Date of Report: : Corridor near middle school office : Middle school entrance, 5 feet from the building Comments (see below) None None None Lab ID-Version : Analysis Date: 07/01/ /01/ /01/2015 raw ct. spores/m3 raw ct. spores/m3 raw ct. spores/m3 Alternaria 6 80 Ascospores ,000 Basidiospores ,000 Cercospora 4 53 Chaetomium 1 13 Cladosporium ,000 Nigrospora Oidium 1 13 Other colorless Penicillium/Aspergillus types Pithomyces 1 13 Rusts 2 27 Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes Stachybotrys 86 1,100 Stemphylium 1 13 Torula Ulocladium Zygomycetes Background debris (1-4+) Hyphal fragments/m < 13 Pollen/m3 < 13 < Skin cells (1-4+) 1+ < 1+ < 1+ Sample volume (liters) TOTAL SPORES/m3 1, ,000 Comments: Spore types listed without a count or data entry were not detected during the course of the analysis for the respective sample. The spores of Aspergillus and Penicillium (and others such as Acremonium, Paecilomyces) are small and round with very few distinguishing characteristics. They cannot be differentiated by non-viable sampling methods. Also, some species with very small spores are easily missed, and may be undercounted. Background debris indicates the amount of non-biological particulate matter present on the trace (dust in the air) and the resulting visibility for the analyst. It is rated from 1+ (low) to 4+ (high). Counts from areas with 4+ background debris should be regarded as minimal counts and may be higher then reported. It is important to account for samples volumes when evaluating dust levels. The analytical sensitivity is the spores/m3 divided by the raw count. The limit of detection is the analytical sensitivity multiplied by the sample volume divided by For more information regarding analytical sensitivity, please contact QA by calling the laboratory. A "Version" indicated by -"x" after the Lab ID# with a value greater than 1 indicates a sample with amended data. The revision number is reflected by the value of "x". Total Spores/m3 has been rounded to two significant figures to reflect analytical precision. EMLab P&K, LLC EMLab ID: , Page 2 of 2

11 Client: EMC Insurance Companies C/O: Mr. Craig Black Re: North Butler CSD; Mold investigation in the elementary building in EMLab P&K 1150 Bayhill Drive, Suite 100, San Bruno, CA (866) Fax (650) Date of Sampling: Date of Receipt: Date of Report: MoldRANGE : Extended Outdoor Comparison Outdoor Location: , Middle school entrance, 5 feet from the building Fungi Identified Outdoor Typical Outdoor Data for: Typical Outdoor Data for: data June in Iowa (n =224) The entire year in Iowa (n =3115) spores/m3 very low low med high very high freq % very low low med high very high freq % Generally able to grow indoors* Alternaria Bipolaris/Drechslera group Chaetomium Cladosporium 25, ,600 4,100 5, ,500 5,600 10, Curvularia Nigrospora Penicillium/Aspergillus types , Pithomyces Stachybotrys < < 1 Stemphylium < Torula Seldom found growing indoors** Ascospores 11, ,800 4,700 7, ,400 4, Basidiospores 80, ,000 5,800 9, ,200 4,300 8, Cercospora Oidium Rusts Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes TOTAL SPORES/m3 120,000 The 'Typical Outdoor Data' represents the typical outdoor spore levels for the location and time frame indicated. The last column represents the frequency of occurrence. The very low, low, med, high, and very high values represent the 10, 20, 50, 80, and 90 percentile values of the spore type when it is detected. For example, if the frequency of occurrence is 63% and the low value is 53, it would mean that the given spore type is detected 63% of the time and, when detected, 20% of the time it is present in levels above the detection limit and below 53 spores/m3. These values are updated periodically, and if enough data is not available to make a statistically meaningful assessment, it is indicated with a dash. Total Spores/m3 has been rounded to two significant figures to reflect analytical precision. * The spores in this category are generally capable of growing on wet building materials in addition to growing outdoors. Building related growth is dependent upon the fungal type, moisture level, type of material, and other factors. Cladosporium is one of the predominant spore types worldwide and is frequently present in high numbers. Penicillium/Aspergillus species colonize both outdoor and indoor wet surfaces rapidly and are very easily dispersed. Other genera are usually present in lesser numbers. ** These fungi are generally not found growing on wet building materials. For example, the rusts and smuts are obligate plant pathogens. However, in each group there are notable exceptions. For example, agents of wood decay are members of the basidiomycetes and high counts of a single morphological type of basidiospore on an inside sample should be considered significant. n = number of samples used to calculate data. Interpretation of the data contained in this report is left to the client or the persons who conducted the field work. This report is provided for informational and comparative purposes only and should not be relied upon for any other purpose. "Typical outdoor data" are based on the results of the analysis of samples delivered to and analyzed by EMLab P&K and assumptions regarding the origins of those samples. Sampling techniques, contaminants infecting samples, unrepresentative samples and other similar or dissimilar factors may affect these results. In addition, EMLab P&K may not have received and tested a representative number of samples for every region or time period. EMLab P&K hereby disclaims any liability for any and all direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of the use or interpretation of the data contained in, or any actions taken or omitted in reliance upon, this report. EMLab P&K, LLC EMLab ID: , Page 1 of 1

12 Client: EMC Insurance Companies C/O: Mr. Craig Black Re: North Butler CSD; Mold investigation in the elementary building in EMLab P&K 1150 Bayhill Drive, Suite 100, San Bruno, CA (866) Fax (650) Date of Sampling: Date of Receipt: Date of Report: MoldSTAT : Supplementary Statistical Spore Trap Report Outdoor Summary: : Middle school entrance, 5 feet from the building Species detected Outdoor sample spores/m3 Typical outdoor ranges Freq. <100 1K 10K >100K (North America) % Alternaria Ascospores 11, , Basidiospores 80, , Cercospora Cladosporium 25, , Oidium Penicillium/Aspergillus types , Pithomyces Rusts Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes Stemphylium Total 120,000 The "Typical outdoor ranges" and "Freq. %" columns show the typical low, medium, and high spore counts per cubic meter and the frequency of occurrence for the given spore type. The low, medium, and high values represent the 2.5, 50, and 97.5 percentile values when the spore type is detected. For example, if the low value is 53 and the frequency of occurence is 63%, it would mean that we typically detect the given spore type on 63 percent of all outdoor samples and, when detected, 2.5% of the time it is present in levels below 53 spores/m3. Indoor Samples Location: : Elementary corridor outside room 218 % of outdoor total spores/m3 Friedman chisquare* (indoor variation) Agreement ratio** (indoor/outdoor) Result: 1% df: 1 Result: Critical value: Inside Similar: Yes Species Detected Spearman rank correlation*** (indoor/outdoor) Result: df: 13 Result: Critical value: Outside Similar: No MoldSCORE**** (indoor/outdoor) Score: 300 Result: High Spores/m3 <100 1K 10K >100K Chaetomium 13 Cladosporium 110 Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes 27 Stachybotrys 1,100 Total 1,300 EMLab P&K, LLC EMLab ID: , Page 1 of 2

13 Client: EMC Insurance Companies C/O: Mr. Craig Black Re: North Butler CSD; Mold investigation in the elementary building in MoldSTAT : Supplementary Statistical Spore Trap Report Location: : Corridor near middle school office % of outdoor total spores/m3 Friedman chisquare* (indoor variation) Agreement ratio** (indoor/outdoor) Result: < 1% df: 1 Result: Critical value: Inside Similar: Yes Species Detected EMLab P&K 1150 Bayhill Drive, Suite 100, San Bruno, CA (866) Fax (650) Date of Sampling: Date of Receipt: Date of Report: Spearman rank correlation*** (indoor/outdoor) Result: df: 11 Result: Critical value: Outside Similar: Yes MoldSCORE**** (indoor/outdoor) Score: 110 Result: Low Spores/m3 <100 1K 10K >100K Ascospores 53 Cladosporium 270 Total 320 * The Friedman chi-square statistic is a non-parametric test that examines variation in a set of data (in this case, all indoor spore counts). The null hypothesis (H0) being tested is that there is no meaningful difference in the data for all indoor locations. The alternative hypothesis (used if the test disproves the null hypothesis) is that there is a difference between the indoor locations. The null hypothesis is rejected when the result of the test is greater than the critical value. The critical value that is displayed is based on the degrees of freedom (df) of the test and a significance level of ** An agreement ratio is a simple method for assessing the similarity of two samples (in this case the indoor sample and the outdoor summary) based on the spore types present. A score of one indicates that the types detected in one location are the same as that in the other. A score of zero indicates that none of the types detected indoors are present outdoors. Typically, an agreement of 0.8 or higher is considered high. *** The Spearman rank correlation is a non-parametric test that examines correlation between two sets of data (in this case the indoor location and the outdoor summary). The null hypothesis (H0) being tested is that the indoor and outdoor samples are unrelated. The alternative hypothesis (used if the test disproves the null hypothesis) is that the samples are similar. The null hypothesis is rejected when the result of the test is greater than the critical value. The critical value that is displayed is based on the degrees of freedom (df) of the test and a significance level of **** MoldSCORE is a specialized method for examining air sampling data. It is a score between 100 and 300, with 100 indicating a greater likelihood that the airborne indoor spores originated from the outside, and 300 indicating a greater likelihood that they originated from an inside source. The Result displayed is based on the numeric score given and will be either Low, Medium, or High, indicating a low, medium, or high likelihood that the spores detected originated from an indoor source. EMLab P&Kreserves the right to, and may at anytime, modify or change the MoldScore algorithm without notice. Interpretation of the data contained in this report is left to the client or the persons who conducted the field work. This report is provided for informational and comparative purposes only and should not be relied upon for any other purpose. "Typical outdoor ranges" are based on the results of the analysis of samples delivered to and analyzed by EMLab P&K and assumptions regarding the origins of those samples. Sampling techniques, contaminants infecting samples, unrepresentative samples and other similar or dissimilar factors may affect these results. With the statistical analysis provided, as with all statistical comparisons and analyses, false-positive and false-negative results can and do occur. EMLab P&K hereby disclaims any liability for any and all direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of the data contained in, or any actions taken or omitted in reliance upon, this report. EMLab P&K, LLC EMLab ID: , Page 2 of 2