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Test reveals mold is growing in Grafton Village Elementary's air ducts Date published: 7/28/2005
By KELLY HANNON Moderate levels of mold have been detected in several classrooms, a restroom, and heating and air units at Stafford County's Grafton Village Elementary. Results of environmental testing performed at the school by Professional Service Industries Inc. were released yesterday, showing "fungal concentrations" in multiple locations. Stafford Superintendent Jean Murray is working with staff to create a plan that will address the report's findings. PSI and school district officials will discuss the plan, and testing results, with Grafton Village teachers and staff tomorrow, said Stafford schools spokeswoman Valerie Cottongim. The public can pick up copies of PSI's report at the Alvin Y. Bandy Administrative Complex. The PSI report outlined suggestions for cleaning up mold at each location, and preventing mold growth in the future. The type of mold varied by location. Moderate levels of cladosporium were found in the heat pump that serves the library and on the surface of one supply air grille in the library, an air diffuser in the school's multipurpose room, a gymnasium mat and the windowsill of a classroom on the lower level of the school's two-story older section. A book plucked from library shelves had elevated spore counts from the penicillium-aspergillius group, which was found in moderate levels on a cabinet below a sink in a lower-level classroom and on ceiling tiles in a boys' bathroom and a gymnasium mat. A pesticide-herbicide screening also was done. PSI found one organophosphorus pesticide, 'Methyl Parathion,' was "prevalent throughout the school." No further information was available about the pesticide findings yesterday, but Cottongim did say Murray intends to ask Donald R. Stern, director of the Rappahannock Area Health District, to review the pesticide results. No herbicides were detected in the soil at the school. PSI conducted the testing at Grafton Village from June 15 to June 22. Ten teachers and several school administrators also were interviewed. Several teachers who work on Grafton Village's lower level reported headaches and allergies they believe are linked to the school's air quality. Stafford schools hired PSI to conduct testing after several parents expressed concern about the school's air quality. Samples gathered internally by the school district this spring did not find elevated levels of mold spores.
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