Identify deficiencies that may impact IEQ and/or sources of odor concerns. Typically includes the following depending on the nature of concern, but not limited to:
- interview/questionnaire of concern individual(s)
- inspection above drop ceiling (condition of roof deck, pipe insulation, return air plenum)
- inspection of ventilation system (operation of variable air volume box and outdoor air dampers, check controls, measurements of carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity, sources near outdoor air intake, measure return and supply air volume, cleanliness of coils, liner and condensate pan)
- inspection of exterior
- inspection below drop ceiling (housekeeping, sink and floor drain traps, signs of past and present moisture concern via visual and/or moisture meter, mold growth, ensure connection of current and capping of abandoned sanitary vents, odorizers, excessive plants and fabric items, identify potential pathways, and measure volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and lighting)
Dates of Assessments: May 3 and 4, 2021
The ventilation unit serving the Guidance Office / Student Services also serves Administration Office. The outdoor air dampers were found operational. The cleanliness of the coils, filters, and condensate pan were found acceptable. Airflow was present from air supply diffusers within the Guidance open area.
Housekeeping was acceptable. Mold growth was not observed on inspected surfaces.
The condition above the drop ceiling was acceptable.
No outstanding odors were detected during the inspection. The individual does not sense or report an odor.
The remedial actions taken to address the past flooding incidents were overseen by the Office of Environment. The same Board approved restoration company was utilized in each incident. The restoration process followed is to prevent mold growth from occurring. The process includes fans and dehumidifiers to dry the environment and impacted materials, wet extraction, removal of impacted materials (to dry other side of wall or to expedite in order to get area back into service), and/or coring holes in the base of walls or wood casework to allow forced air into space to dry materials.
In addition to describing the restoration process, a spot check for existing mold growth from the past incidents was performed. This consisted of removing a bookcase from a drywall wall, a square foot cut out of the drywall behind area of most concern by the individual (no mold observed on three layers of drywall or fiberglass insulation), peeled back areas of vinyl cove base (acts as a vapor barrier and would most likely show mold growth), and repositioning of fiberglass wall insulation and cutting of some drywall above drop ceiling where water was said to have come down. No mold observed on inspected materials.
The Health Suite restrooms near a shared door with Student Services were inspected since there had been a past (October 2018) mold growth incident due to increased relative humidity. No mold growth was observed in restrooms during this inspection.
There is no concern from past incidents as to underneath the carpet due to the type of commercial carpet. If water would have gotten underneath the carpet (poor installation at seams), the carpet would have delaminated (bubbled, rippled) due to water failing the latex adhesive and/or an odor from the solid rubber/vinyl backing of the carpet.
As to the request for mold testing, there are no established health-based standards for acceptable levels of mold/fungi in indoor air. The concern is experiencing chronic/excessive moisture within the indoor environment which promotes mold amplification. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) encourages detection of mold impacted materials by “visual inspections” (to include the use of moisture meters) “and detection via musty/moldy odors.” In general, a thorough physical assessment is more reliable than air sampling.
Microbiological matter is ubiquitous within our outdoor and indoor environments and their concentrations can vary naturally overtime. NIOSH does not recommend air sampling for mold because “air concentrations of molds cannot be interpreted with regard to health risks.” The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) echoes this statement by indicating that because “no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building’s compliance with federal mold standards.” According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the establishment of a federal threshold or regulatory level for mold is unlikely in the near future because it cannot be justified scientifically with the information currently available. “There are many unresolved issues related to air sampling and mold health effects that need additional research before a level could be set (AIHA).”