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 12, 2018 Dr. Keith Stewart Bessemer Board of Education 1621 5 th Avenue North Bessemer, Alabama 35020 RE: Mold Inspection and Air Sampling Report Abram Elementary School Room 130 Located at 1200 23 rd Street North in Bessemer, Alabama PM Environmental, Inc. Project No. 07-3552-1-0001 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 Abram Elementary School Room 130 in Bessemer, Alabama. The purpose of this assessment was to determine whether visible mold is present within Room 130 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 Abram Elementary School Room 130 on September 6, 2018, following reports from faculty of an odor within this classroom. PM was escorted during the inspection by Mr. Reginald Mitchell, the Director of Maintenance/Facilities for the Bessemer Board of Education. PM observed water stained ceiling tiles in a row under the HVAC drip pan and associated piping and appears to be from condensation of the unit above the suspended ceiling. No visible mold growth was observed on the ceiling tiles. PM observed the area above the suspended ceiling tiles associated with the HVAC system. A black foam pad associated with the unit had several discolorations on the surface that appeared to be suspect mold growth. PM utilized a borescope to view the interior two to three feet of the duct work in the room. The observed duct work and associated diffusers appeared to be clean with no visible mold growth. It should be noted that the duct work throughout the school was replaced in 2017. At the time of sampling, temperatures were approximately 73 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 56%. The hallway outside Room 130 is finished with ceramic tile floors, concrete block walls, and a suspended ceiling system with no observed water stains or visible mold growth. 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. 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 Abram Elementary School Room 130 Located at 1200 23 rd Street North, Bessemer, Alabama PM Project No: 07-3552-1-0001; September 12, 2018 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 (150 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 a spore trap air sample from the above referenced classroom as well as the interior first floor hallway. PM also collected an outdoor baseline sample. Results of the air sampling indicated that the total mold spore counts inside the classroom and hallway were above the total spore count outside the building. Specifically, elevated levels of Ascospores and Basidiospores were detected in the interior hallway. Elevated levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium, Basidiospores, and Stacybotrys/Memnoniella were detected in Room 130. It should be noted that children and faculty were walking down the hallway by the sample during collection, which may have impacted the results. The hallway is finished with ceramic tile floors, concrete block walls, and a suspended ceiling system with no observed water stains or visible mold growth. Conclusions Based on the results of the visual inspection and air sample results, suspect mold impacted materials are present within Room 130 and elevated levels of airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium, Basidiospores, and Stacybotrys/Memnoniella were identified in Room 130 and elevated levels of airborne Ascospores and Basidiospores in the interior hallway outside Room 130. PM recommends the following: The source of the water intrusion issue associated with the HVAC system in Room 130 should be corrected to prevent further damage. The identified foam pad with suspect mold growth should be removed and replaced. Additionally, the stained ceiling tiles should be removed by a mold remediation contractor in an effort to prevent further contamination at the property. The rug in this area should be professionally cleaned or have the carpet removed. In the hallway outside of Room 130, PM recommends that the hallway floors be thoroughly cleaned to remove dust on the floor and the elevated floor/seating areas. 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 Abram Elementary School Room 130 Located at 1200 23 rd Street North, Bessemer, Alabama PM Project No: 07-3552-1-0001; September 12, 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) 956-9150 / (770) 956-9181 http://www.emsl.com / atlantalab@emsl.com EMSL Order: 071806149 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: Abrams 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 071806149-0001 2597 5055 150 Hallway Near Attendance Sec Office 071806149-0002 2597 4999 150 Room 130 By Teacher 071806149-0003 2597 4988 150 Outside Baseline Spore Types Raw Count Count/m³ % of Total Raw Count Count/m³ % of Total Raw Count Count/m³ % of Total Alternaria (Ulocladium) - - - - - - - - - Ascospores 90 2000 82 26 570 33.5 37 810 55.9 Aspergillus/Penicillium 7 200 8.2 34 740 43.5 9 200 13.8 Basidiospores 5 100 4.1 5 100 5.9 3 70 4.8 Bipolaris++ - - - - - - 1 20 1.4 Chaetomium - - - - - - - - - Cladosporium 6 100 4.1 4 90 5.3 11 240 16.6 Curvularia 1 20 0.8 4 90 5.3 4 90 6.2 Epicoccum - - - - - - - - - Fusarium - - - - - - - - - Ganoderma - - - - - - - - - Myxomycetes++ 1 20 0.8 - - - - - - Pithomyces++ - - - - - - - - - Rust - - - - - - - - - Scopulariopsis/Microascus - - - - - - - - - Stachybotrys/Memnoniella - - - 3 70 4.1 - - - Unidentifiable Spores - - - - - - - - - Zygomycetes - - - - - - - - - Nigrospora - - - 1 20 1.2 - - - Pestalotia/Pestalotiopsis - - - 1 20 1.2 1 20 1.4 Total Fungi 110 2440 100 78 1700 100 66 1450 100 Hyphal Fragment 1 20-2 40-2 40 - Insect Fragment 1 20 - - - - - - - Pollen - - - - - - - - - Analyt. Sensitivity 600x - 22 - - 22 - - 22 - Analyt. Sensitivity 300x - 7* - - 7* - - 7* - Skin Fragments (1-4) - 1 - - 2 - - 2 - Fibrous Particulate (1-4) - 1 - - 1 - - 1 - Background (1-5) - 1 - - 2 - - 1 - ++ 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 Initial report from: 09/10/2018 13:03:24 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 13:03 PM Page 1 of 1
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