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School tested for more mold problems
January 12, 2007
Original Article
COOLSPRING TOWNSHIP - A manual thermostat was the culprit of a moldy carpet in a newly remodeled computer classroom at Coolspring Elementary School. As a result of the mold, the carpet was removed and school officials began testing the school for any other potential mold problems.
On Wednesday, officials of Michigan City Area Schools said they are waiting for final results of air quality tests, but preliminary tests showed no environmental irregularities within the school building.
“The mold in the carpet was brought to our attention in November,” said Fred LaBorn, director of communication for MCAS. “We moved the computer lab to a room across the hall and removed the carpet.
The room, LaBorn said, was thoroughly cleaned and tile was installed to replace the carpet.
“Most of the work was completed during the winter holidays,” LaBorn said.
Temperature control is a common problem in computer labs, he explained, because computers generate their own heat.
LaBorn said school officials believe the trouble began last summer when the thermostat was set at a lower-than-necessary temperature. With the temperature drop came condensation, which likely encouraged the growth of mold in the carpeting.
Even after removing the carpeting, LaBorn said staff and parents became concerned about whether there might be mold throughout the building.
“That's why we had the air quality tested,” he said.
MCAS is testing the school for any mold with the Grauvogel Co. of Granger, Ind., a company licensed to do mold remediation.
