Schools need to manage mold and moisture: EPA

Potential health effects and safe clean-up practices

Mold exposure can trigger asthma,
allergic reactions and more problems.

As you prepare for spring’s warmer weather, consider taking some time to review your district’s policies and procedures related to mold and moisture control.

Schools should be proactive in their moisture control practices, which are the key to controlling indoor mold growth.

Molds are a major source of indoor allergens and can trigger asthma in sensitive individuals.

Even when spores are dead or unable to grow, mold can cause health effects, such as allergic reactions.

The types and severity of health effects associated with exposure to mold depend, in part, on the type of mold present and the extent of the occupants’ exposure and existing sensitivities or allergies.

Prompt and effective remediation of moisture problems is essential to minimize potential mold exposures and their potential health effects. These negative health effects can lead to increased absenteeism and reduced performance in both staff and students.

To learn more about how IAQ issues, including mold and moisture, can affect student and staff performance, visit http://epa.gov/iaq/schools/benefits.html.

How should mold be safely cleaned?

It is essential to clean up mold as well as excess water or moisture, because moisture is the key to mold control.

If the excess water or moisture problem is not fixed, mold will most likely grow again, even if the area is completely cleaned.

Clean hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry them quickly and completely.

Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles may have to be discarded if the mold cannot be completely removed.

To clean up mold safely and effectively, staff should wear waterproof gloves during clean up and should not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands.

Respiratory protection should also be used in most remediation situations to prevent inhalation exposure to mold.

10 tips to control mold and moisture in schools this spring

1. Establish a mold prevention and remediation plan within your greater IAQ management program.
2. View the IAQ Reference Guide on Mold and Moisture for tips on identifying and correcting common mold and moisture issues.
3. Inspect all school buildings for signs of mold, moisture, leaks or spills, or evidence of past water damage.
4. Prevent moisture condensation by increasing surface temperature, installing proper insulation and improving air circulation.
5. Eliminate sources of moisture by reducing indoor humidity; maintain indoor humidity levels between 30 and 60 percent.
6. Respond promptly when you see signs of moisture and/or mold or when leaks or spills occur. Dry all wet areas within 24 to 48 hours.
7. Perform regular heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) inspections and maintenance as scheduled. Ensure HVAC drip pans are clean, unobstructed and flowing properly.
8. Review EPA’s “Mold Remediation in Schools and Large Buildings” to learn about mold growth in schools and how it can be managed.
9. Educate school community members, including teachers, school officials, and facilities and maintenance staff , on the importance of mold and moisture control.
10. Review the Mold and Moisture: Double Trouble for Schools webinar presentation given by Peggy Caruso, IAQ Coordinator for Katy Independent School District in Texas and Todd Spore with PBK Architects. Learn cost-effective solutions to prevent and control mold and moisture, and find technical information about remediating mold or moisture intrusion.

Source: EPA


Take control of the air quality in your school

Electrocorp's RAP series are
sturdy and effective air cleaners.

The air in schools is often polluted with chemicals and particles from cleaning products, building materials, personal care products, educational materials and much more. Source control, adequate ventilation and air cleaning help to control indoor air quality.

Electrocorp's air cleaners for schools and universities remove a wide range of air pollutants with a deep-bed activated carbon filter and HEPA (plus optional UV to neutralize bacteria, viruses and mold spores).

Electrocorp is a trusted manufacturer for air cleaners in many universities and schools across North America.

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Schools teaching kids about air pollution

Some schools adopting air quality flag program

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – With more and more children suffering from conditions like asthma, parents and teachers are paying close attention to air quality.

Now, some students are keeping an eye on the levels as well.

Outdoor and indoor air pollution
can affect children's health.

There are two flags outside of the Environmental Charter School in Regent Square – the American flag and a smaller, colorful flag.

Depending on the day, you may see purple, red, orange, or green. Each color is an indication of the air quality.

The students monitor the air quality and raise the flags according to what the air quality is like in the city for the day. Green means good air quality, yellow is moderate and orange means be cautious.

The program is sponsored by the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership and the Group Against Smog and Pollution.

The school flag program is currently in 10 schools around the region, but the goal is to expand that number over the school year.

Source: CBS Pittsburgh

The risks of poor indoor air quality

Outdoor air quality can impact children's health - but so is sitting in classrooms with poor indoor air quality.

Many schools expose children, teachers and staff to a mix of airborne chemicals, mold, particles (allergens), bacteria and viruses that can affect their health and well-being, especially over the long term.

Besides better ventilation and less toxic cleaning and teaching materials, a mobile yet heavy duty air purifier can help remove dangerous toxins and odors  from the air in classrooms, cafeterias, gyms and locker rooms.

Electrocorp has designed a variety of air cleaners for schools and universities that provide cleaner and healthier air around the clock.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.

Universities, colleges ponder smoking bans on campuses

Tobacco smoke is not the only indoor air pollutant
affecting students, faculty and staff.

Almost half of campuses in the United States are considering bans on tobacco in all its forms, or have already enacted such policies, according to a recent AP article in the Washington Post.

That means not only is smoking not allowed inside the buildings, but it may be banned from the entire campus as well.

Despite opposition from student smokers and some staff and faculty members, the bans are perhaps a natural result of the mounting evidence presented by researchers about the dangerous effects of tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke exposure.

The main reasons speaking for such bans are:

• Health risks
• Reduced costs of smoke-free dorms and facilities
• Minimizing enticements to form a dangerous lifelong habit

Universities in California, New York and Missouri are planning tobacco bans in the near future.

The surgeon general’s report for 2012 identified the ages of 18-26 as the most critical for young people to start smoking and become lifelong users.

About a quarter to a third of college students smoke, studies show.

However, campus tobacco bans have gained popularity across the nation, growing from pretty much zero a decade ago to more than 700 today.

Source: Washington Post

Improving indoor air quality in universities and schools

The ban on tobacco products is a good first step, but many universities, colleges and schools still suffer from poor indoor air quality, which can impede the students’ ability to retain information, lower their productivity and affect everyone’s health and well-being.

The air in the learning institutions often contains mold spores, dust, pollen, chemicals, VOCs, odors and other irritants, which can be removed by Electrocorp’s air cleaners for schools and universities.

The air cleaners feature the most complete air filtration system with activated carbon and HEPA as well as optional UV germicidal filtration to be able to tackle of all of the aforementioned pollutants.

Electrocorp has worked with hundreds of universities across North America, providing air cleaners to classrooms, laboratories, welding labs, office/administrative tracts, libraries and archives, painting and art studios as well as other environments.

For more information, contact Electrocorp.

Schools commit to green cleaning

Environmentally friendly cleaning products will help with safety, air quality and environment, officials say

Schools often have to deal with poor indoor air quality.

A Vermont bill that requires public and independent schools to purchase environmentally preferable cleaning products and air fresheners was passed recently.

The bill aims to protect school children and staff from toxic chemicals in cleaning agents that have been linked to a wide range of health symptoms, including asthma and cancer.

A similar switch happened in 2004 for all state buildings in Vermont.

According to some officials, many Vermont schools are already using greener and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

More and more schools are participating in the EPA’s Tools for Schools program, which offers tips and tricks to make the school environment safer and healthier.

While some opponents warn about higher costs initially, advocates say the bill will ultimately save money due to illness and absenteeism.

Schools that made the switch reported fewer cases of asthma, nausea and headaches, advocates say.

Source: Bennington Banner

Improve indoor air quality in schools

Even with greener cleaning products, many schools still have to deal with indoor air pollution caused by building materials, mold and moisture problems, poor ventilation, personal care products and other sources.

Activated carbon air cleaners
remove chemicals, odors and
other contaminants.

While opening windows helps a lot to improve indoor air quality, extreme weather, very cold or hot temperatures, outdoor air pollution and noise may stand in the way.

Portable air cleaners with activated carbon and HEPA can help remove indoor air pollutants continuously and provide cleaner air.

Activated carbon can remove airborne chemicals, gases, odors and fumes, while HEPA traps dust, particles, pollen and other irritants. Optional UV germicidal filtration can provide extra protection by neutralizing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and mold.

Electrocorp offers industrial-strength air cleaners for schools and universities that use environmentally friendly and recyclable materials.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options.