Two types of mold have been found in 17 areas of a Lake Zurich elementary school.
Mold was found above the ceilings of classrooms and hallways at Seth Paine Elementary School, 50 Miller Road, said Vicky Cullinan, Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 assistant superintendent.
Because the mold was found between the ceiling and the roof “it is likely that the original source of the water intrusion leading to the mold growth was from the roof,” Cullinan said in an email. “As part of our scheduled summer work we had thermal scans performed on the roofs of all the schools. The Seth Paine roof was dry except for one minor tear, which did not appear to be significant or responsible. This implies that the water intrusion happened in the past.”
The types of mold found at the school were Acremonium and Stachybotrys, a greenish-black mold, which grows where there is constant moisture, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Potential health effects of mold in a building vary, depending on the amount of mold and how susceptible a person is to the effects. Minor symptoms include nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing and skin irritation, while severe reactions to molds may include fever and shortness of breath, according to the the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
According to a letter sent by Superintendent Michael J. Egan to families of Seth Paine students, the mold would be properly handled and disposed.
“As an additional precaution, the building will be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum filters,” he said in the letter.
The district contracted with EHC Industries Inc. of Wauconda for mold remediation and and Hygieneering Inc. of Willowbrook, an industrial hygiene, safety and environmental consulting services company.
According to Cullinan, the costs, totaling almost $290,000, include $119,000 for mold remediation; $14,900 for environmental engineering inspection and remediation oversight; $1,500 for asbestos testing; $139,000 for ceiling replacement and new lighting; and $15,000 for roof deck inspection and evaluation.
“The mold that was found was inaccessible because it was above an interlocking ceiling,” Cullinan said. “The replacement of the spline ceilings with drop ceilings is a plus because it enables us to easily see above the ceilings going forward.”
Access to the building is being restricted while contractors rid the school of the mold, but there are plans to re-open for Meet the Principal Day on Aug. 15, according to Egan’s letter.
