Birmingham 2080 Valleydale Road Suite 16 Birmingham, AL 35244 t: 205.986.0270 Decatur 717 Highway 67 South Suite 26 Decatur, AL 35603 t: 256.353.6222 Florence 4050 Helton Drive Suite 111 Florence, AL 35633 t: 256.476.6252 Starkville 500 Russell Street Suite 106 Starkville, MS 39759 t: 800.313.2966 September 14, 2018 Dr. Keith Stewart Bessemer Board of Education 1621 5 th Avenue North Bessemer, Alabama 35020 RE: Mold Inspection and Air Sampling Report Hard Elementary School Media Center Located at 2801 Arlington Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama PM Environmental, Inc. Project No. 07-3726-0-0001 Dear Dr. Stewart: PM Environmental, Inc. (PM) has performed a visual inspection and indoor air sampling for total mold spore counts associated with the above referenced project located at the Hard Elementary School Media Center in Bessemer, Alabama. The purpose of this assessment was to determine whether visible mold is present within the Media Center and to determine whether elevated levels of mold spores are present within the indoor air of that room. Visual Inspection PM performed a visual inspection of the Hard Elementary School Media Center on September 6, 2018, following concerns of elevated humidity within the room. PM was escorted during the inspection by Mr. Reginald Mitchell, the Director of Maintenance/Facilities for the Bessemer Board of Education. According to Mr. Mitchell, elevated humidity levels have repeatedly occurred in this room due to the HVAC unit serving the room being too large. Mr. Mitchell also stated that mildew was previously identified on the shelves and carpets in the room and that the custodial staff cleaned the room. PM does not know the exact cleaning methods or cleaning products that were used at that time. No visible evidence of mold growth was observed. It should be noted that due to high ceilings and no available ladder to reach that height, PM was unable to inspect the duct work in this room. Diffusers appeared to have small amounts of accumulated dust. PM utilized a borescope to view the interior two to three feet of the duct work in the adjoining office rooms to the media center. The observed duct work and associated diffusers appeared to be clean with no visible mold growth. At the time of sampling, temperatures were approximately 71 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 60%. Interior finishes in the media center include carpet floors, wallboard and concrete block walls, and two foot by two foot suspended ceiling tiles. The hallway outside the media center is finished with vinyl floor tiles, concrete block and wallboard walls, and a suspended ceiling system with no observed water stains or visible mold growth. E N V I R O N M E N T A L & E N G I N E E R I N G S E R V I C E S N A T I O N W I D E W W W. P M E N V. C O M 1. 8 0 0. 3 1 3. 2 9 6 6
Mold Inspection and Air Sampling Report for the Hard Elementary School Media Center Located at 2801 Arlington Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama PM Project No: 07-3726-0-0001; September 14, 2018 Air Sampling Based on the indoor air quality concern, PM conducted air sampling to assess the current amount of airborne mold spores to assist in recommendations for potential remediation. An outdoor air sample was also collected to establish naturally occurring background mold concentrations for comparison with indoor air samples. Air sampling was conducted using a calibrated high-volume air sampling pump and a Zefon Air- O-Cell spore trap cassette following the Zefon company s recommended protocol. The sampling pump operated at a constant flow rate of 15 liters per minute and was set to collect air for 10 minutes ( liter sample volume). The samples were collected by Ms. Amanda Stone of PM and analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc., an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP) laboratory. PM collected two spore trap air samples from the above referenced media center as well as the interior hallway located outside the media center. PM also collected an outdoor baseline sample. Results of the air sampling indicated that the total mold spore counts inside the Media Center and hallway were below the total spore count outside the building. However, individual spore counts of Aspergillus/Penicillium were elevated in the three interior locations (ranging from 4,760 to 16,200 spores per cubic meter) above the outside count (480 spores per cubic meter). Additionally, hyphal fragments were identified in the sample collected from the hallway. It should be noted that children and faculty were walking down the hallway by the sample during collection, which may have impacted the results. Conclusions Based on the results of the air samples, elevated levels of airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium were identified in the Media Center and the adjoining hallway. PM recommends the following: Additional assessment of the HVAC system including access to the duct work in the high ceiling to determine if mold growth is present in the duct work. Surface sampling of shelves and other horizontal surfaces within the Media Center to determine if residual spores remain from previous cleaning events. Based on the information provided, mold growth was formerly present on the carpet in the Media Center. PM recommends that the carpet be cleaned with a fungicide by a professional remediation contractor. In the hallway outside of the Media Center, PM recommends that the hallway floors and walls be thoroughly cleaned and wiped by a professional remediation contractor. Following remediation, PM recommends clearance air sampling to determine if remediation has been effective in reducing airborne mold levels. PM Environmental, Inc. Page 2
Mold Inspection and Air Sampling Report for the Hard Elementary School Media Center Located at 2801 Arlington Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama PM Project No: 07-3726-0-0001; September 14, 2018 In you have questions regarding the information contained in this report, please our office at (800) 313-2966. Sincerely, PM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. Amanda Stone Regional Due Diligence Manager PM Environmental, Inc. Page 3
EMSL Analytical, Inc. 2205 Corporate Plaza Parkway SE, Suite 200 Smyrna, GA 30080 Tel/Fax: (770) 956-9 / (770) 956-9181 http://www.emsl.com / atlantalab@emsl.com EMSL Order: 071806 Customer ID: PMEN22 Customer PO: Project ID: Attn: Amanda Stone Phone: (256) 353-6222 PM Environmental, Inc. Fax: (256) 353-8123 2080 Valleydale Road Collected: 09/06/2018 Suite 16 Received: 09/10/2018 Birmingham, AL 35244 Analyzed: 09/10/2018 Project: Hard Elem. Test Report: Air-O-Cell( ) Analysis of Fungal Spores & Particulates by Optical Microscopy (Methods MICRO-SOP-201, ASTM D7391) Lab Sample Number: Client Sample ID: Volume (L): Sample Location 071806-0001 2597 5038 Outside - Exterior Library Door 071806-0002 2597 5051 Media Center - Near EXT Windows 071806-0003 2597 4992 Media Center - Near Tables Spore Types Raw Count Count/m³ % of Total Raw Count Count/m³ % of Total Raw Count Count/m³ % of Total Alternaria (Ulocladium) - - - - - - - - - Ascospores 589 12900 52.4 14 310 1.9 6 100 1.7 Aspergillus/Penicillium 22 480 1.9 743 16200 96.9 266 5800 96.5 Basidiospores 28 610 2.5 - - - - - - Bipolaris++ - - - - - - - - - Chaetomium - - - - - - - - - Cladosporium 457 9970 40.5 7 200 1.2 1 20 0.3 Curvularia 18 390 1.6 - - - 4 90 1.5 Epicoccum - - - - - - - - - Fusarium - - - - - - - - - Ganoderma - - - - - - - - - Myxomycetes++ 1 20 0.1 - - - - - - Pithomyces++ - - - - - - - - - Rust - - - - - - - - - Scopulariopsis/Microascus - - - - - - - - - Stachybotrys/Memnoniella - - - - - - - - - Unidentifiable Spores - - - - - - - - - Zygomycetes - - - - - - - - - Ascotricha / Dicyma 2 40 0.2 - - - - - - Cercospora++ 7 200 0.8 - - - - - - Nigrospora 1 20 0.1 - - - - - - Total Fungi 1125 24630 100 764 16710 100 277 6010 100 Hyphal Fragment - - - - - - - - - Insect Fragment 1 20 - - - - - - - Pollen 6 100 - - - - - - - Analyt. Sensitivity 600x - 22 - - 22 - - 22 - Analyt. Sensitivity 300x - 7* - - 7* - - 7* - Skin Fragments (1-4) - 1 - - 1 - - 1 - Fibrous Particulate (1-4) - 1 - - 1 - - 1 - Background (1-5) - 1 - - 1 - - 2 - ++ Includes other spores with similar morphology; see EMSL's fungal glossary for each specifc category. No discernable field blank was submitted with this group of samples. Michael Murphy or other approved signatory High levels of background particulate can obscure spores and other particulates leading to underestimation. Background levels of 5 indicate an overloading of background particulates, prohibiting accurate detection and quantification. Present = Spores detected on overloaded samples. Results are not blank corrected unless otherwise noted. The detection limit is equal to one fungal spore, structure, pollen, fiber particle or insect fragment. "*" Denotes particles found at 300X. "-" Denotes not detected. Due to method stopping rules, raw counts in excess of 100 are extrapolated based on the percentage analyzed. EMSL maintains liability limited to cost of analysis. This report relates only to the samples reported above and may not be reproduced, except in full, without written approval by EMSL. EMSL bears no responsibility for sample collection activities or analytical method limitations. Interpretation and use of test results are the responsibility of the client. Samples received in good condition unless otherwise noted. Samples analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc Smyrna, GA AIHA-LAP, LLC --EMLAP Accredited #100662 Report amended: 09/10/2018 16:10:52 Replaces initial report from: 09/10/2018 16:10:52 Reason Code: Client-Change to Sample ID For information on the fungi listed in this report, please visit the Resources section at www.emsl.com MIC_M001_0002_0001 1.71 Printed: 09/10/2018 16:12 PM Page 1 of 2
EMSL Analytical, Inc. 2205 Corporate Plaza Parkway SE, Suite 200 Smyrna, GA 30080 Tel/Fax: (770) 956-9 / (770) 956-9181 http://www.emsl.com / atlantalab@emsl.com EMSL Order: 071806 Customer ID: PMEN22 Customer PO: Project ID: Attn: Amanda Stone Phone: (256) 353-6222 PM Environmental, Inc. Fax: (256) 353-8123 2080 Valleydale Road Collected: 09/06/2018 Suite 16 Received: 09/10/2018 Birmingham, AL 35244 Analyzed: 09/10/2018 Project: Hard Elem. Test Report: Air-O-Cell( ) Analysis of Fungal Spores & Particulates by Optical Microscopy (Methods MICRO-SOP-201, ASTM D7391) Lab Sample Number: Client Sample ID: Volume (L): Sample Location 071806-0004 2597 3089 Hallway Outside Media Center 071806-9901 9999 071806-9902 9999 Spore Types Raw Count Count/m³ % of Total - - - - - - Alternaria (Ulocladium) - - - - - - - - - Ascospores 7 200 3.7 - - - - - - Aspergillus/Penicillium 218 4760 87.5 - - - - - - Basidiospores - - - - - - - - - Bipolaris++ 1 20 0.4 - - - - - - Chaetomium - - - - - - - - - Cladosporium 4 90 1.7 - - - - - - Curvularia 15 330 6.1 - - - - - - Epicoccum - - - - - - - - - Fusarium - - - - - - - - - Ganoderma - - - - - - - - - Myxomycetes++ - - - - - - - - - Pithomyces++ 2 40 0.7 - - - - - - Rust - - - - - - - - - Scopulariopsis/Microascus - - - - - - - - - Stachybotrys/Memnoniella - - - - - - - - - Unidentifiable Spores - - - - - - - - - Zygomycetes - - - - - - - - - Ascotricha / Dicyma - - - - - - - - - Cercospora++ - - - - - - - - - Nigrospora - - - - - - - - - Total Fungi 247 5440 100 - - - - - - Hyphal Fragment 3 70 - - - - - - - Insect Fragment - - - - - - - - - Pollen - - - - - - - - - Analyt. Sensitivity 600x - 22 - - - - - - - Analyt. Sensitivity 300x - 7* - - - - - - - Skin Fragments (1-4) - 2 - - - - - - - Fibrous Particulate (1-4) - 1 - - - - - - - Background (1-5) - 2 - - - - - - - ++ Includes other spores with similar morphology; see EMSL's fungal glossary for each specifc category. No discernable field blank was submitted with this group of samples. Michael Murphy or other approved signatory High levels of background particulate can obscure spores and other particulates leading to underestimation. Background levels of 5 indicate an overloading of background particulates, prohibiting accurate detection and quantification. Present = Spores detected on overloaded samples. Results are not blank corrected unless otherwise noted. The detection limit is equal to one fungal spore, structure, pollen, fiber particle or insect fragment. "*" Denotes particles found at 300X. "-" Denotes not detected. Due to method stopping rules, raw counts in excess of 100 are extrapolated based on the percentage analyzed. EMSL maintains liability limited to cost of analysis. This report relates only to the samples reported above and may not be reproduced, except in full, without written approval by EMSL. EMSL bears no responsibility for sample collection activities or analytical method limitations. Interpretation and use of test results are the responsibility of the client. Samples received in good condition unless otherwise noted. Samples analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc Smyrna, GA AIHA-LAP, LLC --EMLAP Accredited #100662 Report amended: 09/10/2018 16:10:52 Replaces initial report from: 09/10/2018 16:10:52 Reason Code: Client-Change to Sample ID For information on the fungi listed in this report, please visit the Resources section at www.emsl.com MIC_M001_0002_0001 1.71 Printed: 09/10/2018 16:12 PM Page 2 of 2
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