mold-symptom.com

OCALA - Citing health concerns, parents and faculty members at Vanguard High School have asked the school system to expedite plans to deal with mold problems within the building.

The school, which has an aging air system, has had mold visibly growing within several classrooms. The fungus, which has appeared under student desks, has since been scrubbed away, said principal Pam Stewart. No students have complained of illnesses related to the mold, she said.

However, the School Advisory Council last week sent a strongly worded letter to district administrators, asking that the situation be addressed promptly.

"SAC would like to strongly recommend that some type of mold clean up be done, since the flu season has already started," wrote SAC president Sagi Asokan. "More parents and students are becoming aware of this major health hazard associated with the environmental condition of the school. This concern needs to be addressed before any litigation issue arises."

In response to the request, the district plans to hire a company to conduct tests at the school during the holiday break, which begins Dec. 19.

"I think they want some assurance that this is not a health problem," said Deputy Superintendent for facilities Wally Wagoner. "And that's what we're going to do."

Vanguard is scheduled to undergo improvements, including a new air and heating system, next school year. District officials say the dated system, as well as the school's design, create high levels of humidity, which cause mold to grow.

During the past few years, the school has expressed concern over the situation and presented the issue to the School Board. Rather than wait for a new ventilation system, Asokan said she wants the district to inspect the school and clean air ducts before students and teachers return from winter break.

Though difficult to make a connection, Asokan said teachers have complained of suffering allergic reactions, especially after returning from long weekends when the school's level of humidity is high and mold can been seen covering desks. Asokan, who normally does not suffer from allergies, said she experiences similar reactions following meetings in the school's media center.

"My child has been breathing this for four years. It's too late," said Asokan, whose daughter is a senior at the school. "But maybe I can do something for them through the SAC. The parents are naturally very concerned."

Experts say mold is common in America's public schools, where, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a quarter have unsatisfactory ventilation systems.

Mold, which comes in thousands of species, exists practically everywhere, in different amounts. Studies continue over its potential health risks.

Government agencies, including the EPA and the Florida Health Department, state that exposure to mold can cause reactions among those with asthma or allergies. If allowed to build up over time, the fungus can also cause complications for others.

"Even healthy people can have reactions, scratchy throats, watery eyes," said University of Florida mycologist James Kimbrough, who conducts testing for residential and public buildings in the Gainesville area.

To determine the level of mold at Vanguard, workers will have to sample air quality. The average amount of mold spores in a public structure is 250 per cubic meter of air, Kimbrough said. If a problem exists, solutions may include replacing or improving the air system to reduce humidity.

Tuesday, the School Board expressed concern over what was being done at Vanguard.

"If it's a health hazard, you know we are going to jump on it," Superintendent of Schools Jim Yancey said.