Humid Conditions at Texas Library Results in Costly Mold Issues

Earlier this month, the Waco Tribune-Herald published an article about indoor environmental issues taking place at the West Waco Library.  According to the article, a lack of humidity control in a section of the building has resulted in the growth of mold on over 22,000 items in the genealogy department.  A company has been hired to remediate the mold, which will result in the closure of the impacted portion of the library for several weeks and cost over $80,000.
 
Controlling humidity is essential for people’s comfort and to prevent damage to building materials and belongings.  This can be especially true during humid Texas summers.  These types of problems can easily develop in any type of building that lacks the ability to control indoor humidity.
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends reducing indoor humidity to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.  The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 55-2013 - Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy provides detailed information on environmental controls for relative humidity.  
“Mold growing indoors can not only lead to costly property damage, but inhalation exposure can sometimes cause serious health issues,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc. “Mold is a common allergen, irritant, and, in some cases, produces toxic substances known as mycotoxins.  Exposure can even trigger an asthma attack in sensitive individuals.  It can also be the cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), and some types of mold associated with indoor mold growth are capable of causing serious infections in people with a weakened immune system.”
 
The building science professionals at IEC offer testing, inspection, and consulting services to identify conditions, such as excessive humidity, that are conducive for the growth of mold.  They also provide testing services for mold and other microbial contaminants, allergens, particulates, chemicals, radon, lead, and asbestos.  IEC recently sponsored an educational video about indoor humidity, condensation, dust mites, and mold growth that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/QFG53b38XXk
 
To learn more about IEC’s indoor environmental quality testing and consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.

 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
 
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail