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Selbyville school to retest for mold
Independent investigation sought after
pressure from parents, advocates
By JOHN DUFFY
Delaware Wave
reporter
12/28/2003
http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2003/12/28selbyvilleschoo.html
Though an investigation by state health officials concluded that mold found
earlier this year at Selbyville Middle School posed no health risk, a second
investigation is under way.
Pressure from some parents and public health advocates has led lawmakers to
commission a survey by a private, independent environmental consultant to
verify the state's findings.
In
August, a concerned parent had called Rep. Gerald Hocker, R-Millville, after
books and wall panels in a classroom were found covered with mold. Hocker
immediately contacted the district.
"And
they got right on it. I was very pleased," he said. He said the district
purchased special cleaning equipment for the removal of the mold.
After the area was thoroughly cleaned, a Delaware Health and Social Services
toxicologist inspected the area, declaring the building safe. A final report
is due early next year, said Division of Public Health spokeswoman Heidi
Truschel-Light.
But
because of the new pressure, Hocker and Sen. George Bunting, D-Bethany
Beach, have agreed to commission a second study. The two legislators said
they would pay the amount - about $1,500 - to have an independent survey of
the area where the mold was found and a lab analysis.
At a
recent meeting, though, members of the Indian River School Board voted to
have the cost paid for by the school district.
Hocker said he has contacted Compliance Environmental Inc. of Dover about
conducting a site investigation sometime in January.
Greg
Weer, building and grounds supervisor for the district, said the mold
problem at Selbyville Middle stems from the construction of the building's
roof and its air-handling units. The building was designed with a metal
roof, but the material was switched to shingles as a cost-saving measure.
"That roof was not designed for shingles," Weer explained.
Water can easily penetrate the structure, he said. Once the moisture is
inside, the chance for mold to develop is there.
"There have been problems with leaks since the building opened" in 1996,
Weer said. "We try to stay on top of it, but [leaks] still keep showing up."
To
replace the roof all at once would consume the district's entire budget for
renovation or remediation projects, but Weer said he is looking at ways to
replace the roof in stages.
At
the same time, the air-handling units chosen for the building are more
powerful than necessary, contributing to the problem of persistent moisture
in the air, Weer said.
"We're working with the manufacturers to try to solve those problems," he
said.
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