New School Year could bring Mold, Allergens and Asthma

Aug. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- Last week, Fox News published the article, “9 Health Hazards Hidden in College Dorms”.  The article discussed health issues college students may face as they begin moving into dorms next month.  Many of these same health issues are just as relevant to the millions of kindergarten through high school students who will also be heading back to school in the next two months.

Included in the article were health concerns over mold.  As many dorm rooms and classrooms sat empty over the summer, water leaks, moisture intrusion, high humidity and lack of ventilation may have allowed mold to begin growing in both visible spaces and behind walls and ceilings.  Just last month, it was reported that the West Branch Board of Education, in West Branch, Iowa, met in a closed door session to discuss if they should file a lawsuit against a mechanical systems company that installed a faulty system the previous year that allowed humidity levels to hit 96% and delay the school year for some students.  The school district ended up paying $155,000 to have the subsequent mold growth removed.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Poor indoor air quality can impact the comfort and health of students and staff, which, in turn, can affect concentration, attendance, and student performance. In addition, if schools fail to respond promptly to poor IAQ, students and staff are at an increased risk of short-term health problems, such as fatigue and nausea, as well as long-term problems like asthma.”  

“Any mold growth can quickly become aerosolized when students and faculty begin using these buildings,” reported Ed Chambers, President of EC2, a leading provider of IAQ services for schools in Chicago and across the Midwest.  EC2 recently sponsored a public outreach video about IAQ and Student Performance that can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QxdcORr-1M



To learn more about environmental, indoor air quality and infectious disease issues, please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

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About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 Corporations.