In the past, viruses and bacteria were entirely unknown, yet had massive effects on health. In a similar way, today many illnesses are due to exposure to biotoxins, especially those made by molds growing inside our buildings, yet many aren’t yet aware of it ... They soon will be, though: biotoxin-induced illness will become one of the most important medical topics in the 21st Century. (Mold Warriors, Shoemaker, 2005)
Is Mahopac Safe?
The District claims the roofing company is a problem and the roofer claims wet wallboard was installed. Wet wallboard WILL grow mold within 24-48 hours. What SMH wants to know is why the District is making the public pay for the repairs instead of going after those at fault. The other question to ask is how the District has removed the toxins associated with the molds found. We see no evidence of written reports given to parents regarding testing or repairs. Parents and the public have a right to know in writing what is making their children sick and to determine if the remediation methods would protect their children. This is particularly true when the District admits that they have had problems with previous construction projects. (SMH)
Mahopac parents are assured middle school is safe
The Journal News http://www.lohud.com/article/20100421/NEWS04/4210331/-1/newsfront/Mahopac-parents-are-assured-middle-school-is-safe
MAHOPAC — Winter winds wafted diesel fumes into Mahopac Middle School, and spring brought the discovery of mold.
Although life at the school is pretty much back to normal, Superintendent Thomas J. Manko said this week, several projects planned for the summer should mean a more carefree school year come September.
"This summer, the middle school's the No. 1 priority when it comes to capital projects," Manko said after about 140 parents and staff members attended a meeting in the middle school gymnasium concerning the building's air quality.
Early February was when the district was struggling to figure out from where the diesel fumes were coming from. The fumes caused an early dismissal, some reassigned classrooms and the relocation of buses that warm up or drop off students in the morning. The issue brought about 400 parents and staff to the gym for a similar meeting.
Many parents seemed not to believe that buses were the fumes' source. But at Monday night's meeting, a sixth-grader's father who sits on a committee of parents with heating and ventilation expertise said he accepted the explanation. Neighbors of the school had convinced him, he said.
"They would walk their dog early in the morning and they would talk about the haze that came over the practice fields," said Patrick Murray of Turner Construction.
He also said he saw the spaces around the vents that are supposed to bring fresh air into each classroom or close off the room to any infiltration from the outside. With those gaps, Turner said, it made no difference whether the vents were open or closed. Resizing the area around the vents is among the district's summer tasks.
"It was like leaving your window open," Turner said. "They just didn't have the answers back in February."
This week's meeting was set up before mold was found in the science wing April 9. That led to last week's schedule of no school Monday and Tuesday and half-days for each remaining day, with middle-schoolers sharing the high school.
The mold was attributed to installation of wallboard before the roof was watertight, condensation from uninsulated pipes and poor caulking around windows that allowed wind-driven rain to penetrate. The improper work, Manko and other officials said, was done in the past decade during a $35 million problem-fraught, district wide building and expansion project.
This week, Dennis Adams of Don Adams Roofing said it never rained during his portion of the job and that the Hawthorne roofing contractor claimed the sheetrock was already "wet (from snow) that they brought in."
This summer, caulk will be replaced, pipes will be insulated and newly installed wallboard will be painted. All of the work will be done in-house, Manko said.
Louisa Cassone, who has a son in middle school, asked what measures would be done to prevent future mold problems. Lenny Costable, director of school facilities, said the caulk would be checked annually to make sure it is watertight.
District officials at the meeting also highlighted the almost constant in-school air monitoring. Tests for several contaminants have found no problems.
"There is nothing in this building that is a hazard to your health," said Dave Chapman, assistant superintendent of business.
