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53 °F 5 Day Forecast Monday, October 20, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 6, 2003 Mold levels normal at Talent Middle School By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Two recent studies found that Talent Middle School does not have a mold problem, despite rumors to the contrary. "Basically we found the building is healthy," said Phoenix-Talent Superintendent Ben Bergreen. "It’s safe for students and staff." The possibility that mold was thriving inside the 50-year-old building was raised when a teacher experienced ongoing health problems last year, Bergreen said. The teacher’s classroom was tested in March but no mold problems were uncovered, added Bergreen. Advertisement When the teacher’s health didn’t improve, Bergreen said the entire building was tested for airborne mold spores on Aug. 26 and Sept. 2. The district hired Coleman Creek Consulting Inc. in Talent and Wise Steps Inc. in Salem to conduct the tests, and consulted with county and state health officials. The process cost approximately $5,000. Those results showed that Talent Middle School had low levels of airborne mold spores throughout the building — approximately 100 to 200 spores per cubic meter of air. Outside, the spore count measured approximately 3,000 spores per cubic meter. There are no local, state or federal guidelines regarding acceptable levels of mold spores inside buildings, but Bergreen said the results raised no red flags with officials from Coleman Creek Consulting or Wise Steps. "None of the classrooms showed spore counts that would be considered health risks," said Bergreen. The testing firms did recommend that the school district remove a few water-damaged ceiling tiles and carpeting in four classrooms from the middle school. Bergreen said the district followed the suggestions after-hours, when staff and students weren’t present. The changes cost approximately $10,000, he added. The final results of the tests were forwarded to the Department of Human Services this week. Officials there will review the findings and issue a statement sometime this month. Environmental health specialist Cindy Gaines said she hasn’t had a chance to look over the final results but said the preliminary findings raised no red flags within the department. "There’s nothing that’s an immediate threat," she added. "Nobody’s in any danger." Gaines said it’s very common to find a small population of mold spores in a building, and, based on preliminary reports, Talent Middle School has an air circulation system that appears to be in good working order. "Mold spores are indoors, outdoors, everywhere and they always will be," said Gaines. "It’s always expected and totally accepted to find mold spores in a building." Still, rumors and a recent television news report of a mold problem at the school has caused some to worry about potential health effects. "There has been some parents that have expressed some concern," said Talent Middle School Principal Patricia Kinney. However, there’s been no confirmed reports by a parent or doctor that mold spores caused any illness. In addition, Kinney noted that attendance hasn’t decreased this year despite the typical colds that crop up at the start of every school year. In September, Talent Middle School had an attendance rate of 95.8 percent, compared to September 2002’s attendance average of 95.23 percent. Reach reporter Jill Briskeyat 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times