Water Damage and Mold Shuts Down California School Building

In November, the Half Moon Bay Review published an article about the closure of an intermediate school in Northern California. According to the report, the building was closed earlier this year after continued problems with water damage that resulted in the growth of mold in the building.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) issues caused by exposure to elevated levels of mold can create a host of potential health concerns for students and faculty. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Inhaling or touching mold may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and can even trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to mold.

As an irritant, mold can impact the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to it. Mold may also cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a disease that resembles bacterial pneumonia. Some types of mold that are associated with water-damaged buildings can even cause opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

“Fortunately, when the mold issue was discovered at the school, students and teachers were removed from the building until it was properly repaired and remediated,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “Cases like this happen all too often in school buildings that were not properly designed and/or maintained. At EMSL, we offer comprehensive indoor air quality, mold and other environmental testing services to help ensure building occupants are not being exposed to substances that could impact their well-being. If a problem is discovered through testing, the appropriate remediation efforts can then be put in place to fix the problem and identify the root cause so it does not return.”

To learn more about mold or other indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, email  info@EMSL.com  or call (800) 220-3675. For access to indoor environmental test kits, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail