0
0
According to the district, it worked closely with CDC in order to implement all of its recommendations.
According to federal officials, mold has caused respiratory problems and illnesses in some Sarasota high school buildings for many years. The district acknowledged the problem and worked with the health department to resolve it.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sent a response letter on Oct. 13 to the Sarasota County Schools District after receiving a confidential complaint from an employee. An anonymous complaint detailed respiratory problems, sinus infections, nose bleeding and headaches caused by mold.
NIOSH and CDC both fall under the Department of Health and Human Services.
In 2015, the buildings designed by architect Paul Rudolph, and built in 1960, underwent renovations at an estimated cost of $8.5 million. Renovations were carried out after Riverview High School, another Rudolph designed high school was demolished in 2009. Many in Sarasota fought to save the current building design.
Originally, the school did not have air conditioning. The classrooms had windows for cross ventilation.
The CDC report cites a study that found elevated mold fungus levels in these buildings. An anonymous complaint noted that damaged stucco caused moisture to seep into both buildings, causing mold. The report also noted that carbon dioxide levels would increase in classrooms throughout the day as a result of a lack fresh airflow. They peaked at around 2,000 parts-per-million.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the safe limit of carbon dioxide in the workplace for workers is 5,000 ppm.
According to an anonymous complaint in the CDC Report, teachers and students complained of headaches, fatigue and nausea. They also reported burning eyes and dry mouth, which worsened during the day. These symptoms disappeared when they left the building.
The complainant stated that both buildings had an odor of must and the HVAC systems would shut off at night. According to the report, they also claimed that the carpets had been stained and were rarely vacuumed.
Last line in the report stated that it was the conclusion of the Department’s evaluation of health hazards for Sarasota high school.
The Herald-Tribune tried to interview several Sarasota High School teachers on record, but they refused to do so because they were afraid of retaliation.
Craig Maniglia, Sarasota Schools spokesman said that the district had complied to all NIOSH recommendations and CDC guidelines dating back as far as 2016. He said that the buildings 13 and 14, as well, were already being renovated in accordance with normal maintenance procedures which began on Wednesday.
Maniglia said that the district had responded and acted upon every complaint about mold at Sarasota High.
The CDC reported that many employees are afraid to bring up issues like mold at work for fear of being targeted or facing repercussions.
A Sarasota survey conducted in April found that 67.6% felt that they could not file a complaint for fear of being retaliated against.
Suzanne Tomasi is the epidemiologist that sent the NIOSH/CDC letter. She commended Sarasota’s School District for its efforts in addressing the mold problem and made additional suggestions to correct the issue.
It is recommended that the HVAC systems are kept on a lower setting than normal when the buildings are not occupied, rather than being turned off. Employees should also be encouraged to notify their health care provider about any symptoms they may have and to contact a specific person at the school.
Report also suggested that the district maintain cleanliness of carpets due to dust mites and allergens. The report stated that hard flooring was preferred for its ability to improve cleanliness, reduce dust and moisture buildup and increase hygiene. However, the district informed the agency they preferred carpet in order to reduce classroom noise.
Report suggests that the district post copies in full of the 13 page letter at a prominent location accessible by all, for 30 days.
For your home to be free of mold, you need professional remediation. Mold remediation is a professional service that includes mold removal and prevention. Are you looking for solutions to your problem? Well, if you want to know more, you can go right here so that you can verify for yourself the multiple options to deal with your problem Imperial Restoration mold remediation and restoration services Toronto. They use special techniques to eliminate the mold safely, find its origin, and develop strategies to stop it from returning. Mold cleanup specialists will ensure a complete mold removal, protecting your home from health hazards associated with exposure to mold. The remediation of mold not only improves the indoor air quality, but it also gives you peace-of-mind knowing that your home is safe and free from any harmful mold.
