Mold at University of Delaware Forces Students from Dorm Rooms

Oct. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Earlier this month, WDEL News Talk Radio, reported that at least 40 students from the University of Delaware were forced to leave their dorm rooms due to mold issues.   At the time of the news report, 38 rooms had been cleaned and disinfected allowing some students to return.  The remaining students were being housed in temporary housing provided by the university.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tools for Schools Fact Sheet, the following health effects are associated with mold exposure:
•   Potential health effects associated with mold exposure may include irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of both mold allergic and non-allergic people.
•   In sensitive individuals allergic reactions can be caused by breathing in or touching mold.
•   Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold and leave it there, the mold must be removed.

One of the leading indoor mold experts in Delaware operates Sussex Environmental Health Consultants (SEHC).  Susan White, Ph.D., CMC, has years of experience investigating indoor air quality complaints in schools and universities.  When asked about the mold issue at the University of Delaware she reported, “We see cases of mold in schools, dorms and even military barracks on a regular basis.  All of these types of structures are susceptible to flooding events or when tight maintenance budgets cause preventive maintenance to be postponed, mold problems are all too common.  Sometimes these cases are straightforward with the source of the mold growth being readily evident, other times it can take an in-depth investigation because what mold is visible may be only the tip of the iceberg.  It’s not uncommon to find entire ceiling and wall cavities, out of visual sight, to be the main culprit and to be covered with mold.  Just because it’s out of sight, doesn’t mean the mold spores aren’t being aerosolized and breathed by the building occupants,” she continued.

SEHC supports a public outreach video on indoor air quality and student performance, it can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QxdcORr-1M



To learn more about SEHC’s IAQ, environmental, or health and safety services, please visit http://www.sussexenvironmental.com, email susan.white@mchsi.com or call (302) 947-1810.

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About Sussex Environmental Health Consultants, LLC
SEHC is a certified woman owned business that provides environmental and health and safety consulting services. The company is located in the Mid-Atlantic and services customers nationwide. SEHC provides solutions to clients ranging from homeowners to international Fortune 500 Corporations.