LONGPORT — Mold has been found in areas of Borough Hall, displacing the upcoming polling station, commission meetings, and the police department.
The mold, found in the Commission Chambers and Centennial Hall, links back to the discovery of failed HVAC equipment on Aug. 18, according to Mayor Nick Russo. He also said the age of the building and water that got underneath the structure after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 also are factors.
During remediation efforts, both rooms have been sealed off and commission meetings are being held in the library—where mold was not detected. The polling location for the Nov. 5 election will be at Longport Volunteer Fire Department Firehouse located at 2301 Atlantic Avenue and a senior luncheon, held every month at Borough Hall, has been canceled for September and October. Russo said a decision hasn’t yet been made for November’s luncheon.
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Five police officers also haven’t been feeling well, Russo said. While he doesn’t know if the officers’ ailments are related or due to mold, the borough is temporarily relocating the police department to trailers on the property.
“We’re doing the things that we can now as we try to move forward on figuring out the best avenue to remediate all of this,” said A. Scott Porter, municipal administrator, at Wednesdays’ commissioner’s meeting.
Officials in the Public Works Department are conducting visual inspections at the building three times a week and are replacing water-damaged ceiling tiles and removing mold as they see it, Porter said.
A new part of an HVAC unit, costing $12,500, was also delivered and installed on Thursday, according to Jenna Kelly, borough CFO.
The Atlantic County Division of Public Health Environmental Health Unit surveyed the building and submitted a report that suggested that the borough increase its fresh air intake of the HVAC system, address areas where water damage has occurred—like the ceiling tiles, address areas where water leaks into the building and consider using humidifiers.
The Health Department’s conclusion stated that “the indoor air quality at the time of the evaluation did indicate some readings that may be of concern for the parameters that were tested” and that “all levels of carbon dioxide were below the comfort level of 1000 parts per million.»
While there is no timeline to rid the building of the mold, Russo hopes to have it remediated by next month. Kelly said officials are still gathering information on how much the whole remediation process will cost.
The borough does have bid proposals to remediate the mold and asbestos in the Commission Chambers and Centennial Hall.
“My understanding at this point is we have to get approval from state with a lead time of approximately two weeks,” Porter said. “What we don’t have is a lead time from the contractor on when they can start.”
There are also asbestos tiles underneath the carpet in Borough Hall, according to Richard Carter, borough engineer. If the carpet, which is glued down, is lifted it could disturb the asbestos tiles, which would also have to be removed.
When Russo took office in 2008 he had the borough put about $400,000 into the building for repairs. He saw it was cost effective rather than building new.
“But when you have an older building there are always going to be issues,” he said.
A mold cleanup effort at Petaluma Valley Hospital is ongoing, health officials said.
Earlier this summer, moisture and water damage were identified in some areas of the hospital. St. Joseph Health, which operates the hospital, performed a comprehensive inspection and began mitigation efforts, the company said.
Remediation is complete in some areas and ongoing in others, according to a company statement. While undergoing remediation, each of the affected areas remains in isolation and is fully contained.
An investigation determined the types of mold to include Penicillium/Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Chaetomium and Ulocladium. St. Joseph said testing confirmed there are no ongoing air quality issues.
An independent third-party, industrial hygienist confirmed the areas affected are a result of isolated and unrelated issues that are not systemic in nature, St. Joseph said.
There has been no identified harm to any patients, caregivers, or visitors at the hospital.
Even if you don’t live in an area that’s particularly rainy, a house flood is not out of the realm of possibility. There are a number of unpleasant situations that can cause water to spill inside your home, including a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or problems with your washing machine—as if you needed one more possible disaster in your home to stress out about!
While it doesn’t help to worry about things you can’t control, you can be aware of the actions you should take if you do find yourself in a messy—and potentially toxic—situation like this. We certainly hope you never experience a flood in your home, but if you do, these are the steps you should take to protect it.
1. Put on protective gear
The water floating around your house is a lot different from the water you use in your sink or tub—it’s not sanitary, and the contents are unknown.
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“Floodwaters can contain harmful bacteria, fecal matter, and even snakes or other critters,” says Audrey Monell of Forrest Anderson Plumbing and AC, in Phoenix.
Wear gloves, masks, and even waterproof boots to protect your skin.
2. Document the flood damage
Obviously, you want to start getting water out of your home as soon as possible. But even before that, you’ll want to document the flood damage.
“If you’re planning on making an insurance claim, you’re going to need extensive documentation of the damage to your home and your belongings,” says Craig Ricks Jr., president of Acadian Windows & Siding, a residential construction company in Kenner, LA.
Before you start trying to clean up, take photographs or video footage of your home to document the home’s condition.
“This will help your claims adjuster with the necessary documentation and investigation of your claim,” says Stefan Tirschler, product and underwriting manager at Square One Insurance Services.
However, don’t enter the home if it’s not safe. Your personal safety should be your top priority.
3. Remove the water and increase the airflow
Depending on the extent of the water damage, you’ll probably need to contact a flood restoration company to handle the cleanup.
“If gray or black water [from sinks and sewers] was involved in the flood, avoid coming into contact with the water,” warns Tirschler.
A professional restoration company will have the appropriate equipment—and the expertise—to safely clean up contaminated water.
In the meantime, though, there are certain actions you can take to help salvage your house. For example, you can use a wet-dry vac to remove water.
It’s also important to keep humidity levels low, so after you’ve cleaned up any mess, open the windows and dry out your house using fans, dehumidifiers, and desiccants. This will help prevent moisture from causing lasting damage to your home.
4. Be aware of electrical components
If the home is flooded and the electricity is active, there’s a chance that you could be electrocuted. Don’t turn on the lights or touch anything that uses electricity until you are sure the power is off.
“To avoid electric shock, make sure the electrical breaker is off before electronics and appliances are moved or unplugged,” says Raymond Plante, vice president of account services for Rainbow International, a water damage, fire damage, and mold restoration company.
5. Call your insurance provider
To open the insurance claim, you’ll need to contact your provider.
“The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will help you to quantify the damage to your home, confirm that it is covered, and help you identify contractors to repair the damage,” says Tirschler.
Also, if you had to pay any emergency expenses to get the flood under control—for example, paying a plumber to shut down your water supply—keep your receipts.
“Your home insurance provider will generally help cover emergency mitigation expenses as part of your overall claim,” Tirschler says.
As you know, all insurance policies are not the same, so don’t assume yours covers flooding.
“Some may include coverage by default, while others may have upgraded flood coverage available as an optional endorsement,” Tirschler says.
If you have extensive damage that forces you to move out of your home, Tirschler says some insurance providers may even cover additional living expenses (e.g., the cost of a hotel or washing and dry-cleaning your clothes).
WASHINGTON D.C. — Hundreds of correctional officers across the U.S. are working in prisons with mold growing in areas constantly populated by both officers and inmates.
Prison leaders have allowed the mold to fester for years in some cases, refusing to test it. That’s due to Bureau of Prisons policy, not bureaucratic incompetence.
Former Acting Bureau of Prisons Director Hugh Hurwitz speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department. (Photo/Win McNamee/Getty Images/TNS)
Top union officials for correctional officers said prison leaders have balked at exterminating mold — making promises they never keep and refusing to hire contractors who can adequately eliminate it.
Some of those issues are an explicit policy of the Bureau of Prisons, laid out in a memo issued in the summer of 2015.
“Currently there is no OSHA standard for unacceptable levels of mold in the workplace,” the first paragraph of the memo reads. “According to OSHA, it is generally not necessary to identify the specific genus and species of mold.
“Since an individual’s susceptibility (i.e. potentially allergic staff or inmates) can vary greatly, mold sampling may not be reliable in determining health risks,” it continues.
It also says bureau officials “do not recommend hiring an outside contractor as a first step,” and requires prison officials to consult with bureau officials “prior to engaging with any contractors.”
The memo, written by Sylvie Cohen, the Bureau of Prisons chief of occupational and employee health, has been understood by wardens across the country to mean potentially harmful mold that employees breathe in every day at work should not be tested, according to documents and multiple union leaders.
Those union leaders report multiple health issues of current and former prison employees who have to breathe in the mold without protective gear every day. They said prison leaders have been reluctant to admit there are mold problems or do the type of intensive and costly work that not only gets rid of the mold but also means it stays gone. Multiple union leaders said prison leadership only started addressing the mold when they threatened to talk to the media.
“Instead of looking for mold and seeing if there’s a problem, their feet have to be held to the fire before they do anything,” said Aaron McGlothin, a union leader at a prison in Mendota, Calif., who has filed for whistleblower protection.
“By dragging their feet on this, we’ve cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and put staff at serious risk,” he added.
The Bureau of Prisons did not offer any other more recent guidance on how federal prisons are supposed to deal with mold in response to a detailed request for comment, but said employees are encouraged to report mold whenever they find it. In a statement, it said mold and fungi exists “in nearly all environments at some level.”
“In accordance with guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), any identified mold is either removed or disinfected based upon the location and extent of the mold,” the statement said. “Guidance from these outside agencies recommends against the time and expense of testing for the specific genus of mold since all mold remediation is based on the location and extent of the mold growth and not the specific type of mold that may be present which may potentially impact workers.
“This guidance also recommends the use of contractors for mold remediation based upon the extent of the mold and the availability of trained staff,” the statement added.
OSHA did not respond to requests for comment.
Corey Levy, an expert on the health effects of mold and a founder of We Inspect, a mold inspection service, and a member of the Indoor Air Quality Association, said the Bureau of Prisons’ policy not to test mold “makes no sense” and that an employer not testing mold is “abnormal.”
“Mold doesn’t cause just sneezing and coughing and shortness of breath, which are all common,” Levy said. “But depending on the type of mold, you can have long-term health effects.
“The position here is scary,” he added. “Exposure to mold will absolutely have detrimental affects to people over a long period of time, even if they are affected differently.”
Attorney General Bill Barr has changed leadership at the top of the Bureau of Prisons following the apparent suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of running a complex pedophilia ring. He was being held in a federal prison without bail at the time of his suicide.
Barr removed then Bureau of Prisons Acting Director Hugh Hurwitz in August, and announced Kathleen Hawk Sawyer would take over the same day. Hawk Sawyer previously served as director of the bureau from 1992 to 2003.
In a private directive to staff last week, Hawk Sawyer acknowledged issues within the prison system, including staff shortages and budget cuts. She said “our reputation has been shaken” and her priority is to get the bureau “back on solid ground.”
“I fear that during this period we have had to get creative in getting the job done — at times we have taken shortcuts, we have cut corners, we have stretched the limits of our policy. We have not always done the right thing,” Hawk Sawyer said. “And to do so can result in very tragic consequences for you, our staff, and for the inmates in our care. Because of this we have lost the confidence of those for whom we work, the Attorney General, the federal judiciary, Members of Congress and the American people.”
Leadership at different prisons in the U.S. with mold problems are more focused on minimizing short-term cost and potential liability than fixing the problem and helping staff, multiple union leaders said.
Warden Paul Thompson, in charge of a federal prison in Herlong, Calif., cited the 2015 guidance on mold in an Oct. 1 letter responding to union leaders who reported a mold problem. In the letter, which was shared with McClatchy, Thompson said they were properly following the guidance in the 2015 memo, and said OSHA has no standards for “acceptable mold exposure.”
Kyle Barker, the president of the Herlong union who has filed whistleblower reports on the issue, filed a complaint detailing numerous health problems of staff members who had been working in areas with black mold.
“Staff have reported problems including, but not limited to: (1) running nose, (2) burning or watery eyes, (3) sneezing, (4) congestion, (5) headaches, (6) coughing, and/or (7) skin irritation,” Barker wrote. “One staff member had to have his tonsils removed, due to recurring respiratory illness.”
The complaint follows an inspection of the areas with mold scheduled by Herlong leadership, which they banned Barker from attending. They said they cleared the area of mold. Barker separately used union funds to send a sample of the mold he found in the area to a third-party lab, which confirmed that there were moderate levels of stachybotrys, a particularly harmful type of mold, according to documents provided to McClatchy.
A grievance Barker filed on the issue was denied. He’s now in the process of appealing the complaint, a process that can take years with no guaranteed relief. Barker said prison leadership has known about the mold issue since at least January of 2017.
Stachybotrys is a black mold that doesn’t grow overnight — problems such as leaky roofs have to exist for weeks before it forms, Levy said. Not only can it actually attach to your nasal cavity, lungs and skin, turning you into a host for the mold, but it also can cause neurological issues, he said.
“We’re talking brain fog, trouble focusing, lethargy,” Levy said. “This would affect officers’ performance, which in their situation in a prison is dangerous.”
McGlothin also alleged in a whistleblower complaint to Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen that leadership at his prison had lied to senior officials at the Bureau of Prisons about the existence of mold, who in turn repeated the information to Congress.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., asked the Bureau of Prisons in a July letter to provide more information on black mold found in the prison’s control room. In an August response, Regional Director Mary M. Mitchell said management was first aware of mold damage in April 2018 but had now completed all interior work to get rid of the mold.
McGlothin said that was flatly untrue in a whistleblower complaint to Rosen in September. He said he and prison executives looked under the floor of the control room, where at least one correctional officer has to be posted 24/7, on Sept. 12.
“Upon a brief visual inspection of the area I visually noticed areas of black mold which has been identified in the past as stachybotrys,” McGlothin wrote. “This strain found in the Mendota Control Room was verified through multiple independent lab tests.”
McGlothin said mold problems at the Mendota prison have been ongoing since at least April 2018.
“There’s been no accountability, and now they’re lying to Congress,” McGlothin said. “To say it’s been frustrating would be a huge understatement.”
A mold cleanup effort at Petaluma Valley Hospital is ongoing, health officials said.
Earlier this summer, moisture and water damage were identified in some areas of the hospital. St. Joseph Health, which operates the hospital, performed a comprehensive inspection and began mitigation efforts, the company said.
Remediation is complete in some areas and ongoing in others, according to a company statement. While undergoing remediation, each of the affected areas remains in isolation and is fully contained.
An investigation determined the types of mold to include Penicillium/Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Chaetomium and Ulocladium. St. Joseph said testing confirmed there are no ongoing air quality issues.
An independent third-party, industrial hygienist confirmed the areas affected are a result of isolated and unrelated issues that are not systemic in nature, St. Joseph said.
There has been no identified harm to any patients, caregivers, or visitors at the hospital.
Mold can start to grow anywhere it’s dark and humid as long as there’s also oxygen for the mold. This means mold can grow inside any home and will be especially in areas where pipes may be leaking or condensation can accumulate. When homeowners do find mold, professional removal will be the best course of action for their safety.
Protective Equipment is Needed
When mold is discovered in a home, the first step for removal is wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). The PPE helps protect the person handling the mold so they don’t end up coming into contact with it or breathing it in. Professionals like those athttps://teammicrotech.com/have the right PPE to minimize the chance mold will impact their health because of being around it during removal.
Mold Spores Need to be Contained
Mold spores can be incredibly dangerous, so it’s important for the mold to be contained so it can be completely removed. Professionals have the tools needed to seal off a contaminated room to ensure the mold will not spread to other parts of the home. This is vital to prevent the mold from spreading to other parts of the home. They can then remove as much of the mold as possible from the room before moving on to other methods to ensure it’s completely removed.
Mold Needs to be Killed Completely
The mold should be completely killed so the room can be cleaned and free from further growth. There are different mold removal products that can be used for this, but bleach is the most commonly used product. Used properly, it can kill almost every type of mold found on non-porous surfaces. It does need to be diluted to be used but does not need to be wiped from most surfaces.
Any Residual Spores Must be Removed
Most of the mold will be removed from the home or killed, but there may be residual spores inside the room on other surfaces or in the air. All of this must be removed from the room or mold will simply start to grow again. Professionals like those fromMicroTech Solutionscan ensure all residual spores are removed before unsealing the room.
Mold Must be Disposed of Properly
Any mold that is removed from the room will need to be disposed of properly. It should be contained in a sealed bag and removed through a window so there’s no chance of contaminating other rooms. Homeowners can visit a website likehttps://teammicrotech.com/contact/to learn more about this.
Due to how dangerous mold can be, it must be removed as fast as possible. Homeowners who notice mold in their homes should contact a professional. This helps them ensure the mold is completely removed and the chance of it growing again or spreading to another room is minimized.
About the Company:
MicroTech Solutions is a water damage restoration and mold remediation company helping homeowners keep their homes free from damage. They have extensive experience dealing with many different types of mold and are available to ensure homeowners can get the help they need fast.
Media Contact Company Name: MicroTech Solutions Contact Person: Owner Email: Send Email Phone: (904) 448-1030 Address: 11235 St Johns Industrial Pkwy N #5 City: Jacksonville State: FL Country: United States Website: teammicrotech.com/
«I fear that during this period we have had to get creative in getting the job done at times we have taken shortcuts, we have cut corners, we have stretched the limits of our policy. We have not always done the right thing,» Hawk Sawyer said. «And to do so can result in very tragic consequences for you, our staff, and for the inmates in our care. Because of this we have lost the confidence of those for whom we work, the Attorney General, the federal judiciary, Members of Congress and the American people.»
Heavy storm damage was left as a result of the severe weather that took place Sunday night in Dallas, Texas and surrounding areas. A line of storms moved through North Texas, while the people of Dallas County were warned to take shelter Sunday evening. The tornado caused major damage to homes, businesses and parks. Not only was widespread damage a result of the tornado, homes and businesses are left with moisture issues resulting in water damage and mold.In addition to the moisture issues, there are always concerns over the possible presence of asbestos in the roofing materials that is caused by heavy rains.“There are institutional, commercial and industrial buildings all across the country that suffer from water damage due to powerful storms or a lack of funds to perform the necessary preventive maintenance to avert these types of events,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “While mold and asbestos have been mentioned as a concern in this situation, another very common exposure hazard is lead-based paints. Damaged buildings that could expose occupants to asbestos, lead and elevated levels of mold create serious indoor environmental quality concerns that can have a negative impact on people’s short and long-term wellbeing.”The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. help to identify exposure hazards to asbestos, lead and mold. It’s important for facility managers and building maintenance employees to have all suspect materials and coatings tested before renovation or demolition projects take place that could disturb these materials. Testing not only helps to prevent needless exposures, it is also required by law if materials containing lead or asbestos are to be disturbed in many circumstances unless the proper containment, safety and disposal protocols are in place.To learn more about asbestos, lead, mold or other material and indoor environmental quality testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com . To access IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.About EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 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.
Over the summer, there was a growth found in Chapman that resembled mold. However, it has not been tested and proven to be mold. Chapman residents have mixed viewpoints on the growth.
Facilities Services was brought in to inspect and remove the growth found in offices on the third floor of Chapman.
“There were and have been some visual signs of some type of humidity-driven growth. It was not tested for mold. It was tested and proven not to be a hazardous mulch,” said Jim Baker, senior director for Facilities Services.
The test to discover whether the substance in Chapman was mold or not was never conducted because the standard tests to see if the growth was hazardous were not alarming. The testing company, Clean Environments, compares air samples from the inside the building to air samples from outside the building to see if there is a dangerous growth in buildings.
The affected Chapman rooms were tested using this standard method after the growths were found.
“The gauge is if you see something on your samples that you took inside the building that is just skyrocketed as compared to outside then you might want to say, ‘Hey, we have a problem here. We probably should do some more testing.’ But that’s never been the case since we’ve been doing samples. It is always that there are more contaminants in the air outside the building than inside,” Baker said.
According to Baker, the offices in which the growth was found had been closed and locked all summer, leaving a perfect environment for the growth.
“If you leave three offices closed in the building all summer, chances are it’s not getting enough air to circulate through the office because it’s closed all the time. It gives any type of growth an opportunity to develop. I’m not going to say it was mold,” Baker said.
Since the growth was discovered in mid-August when faculty returned from the summer break, Facilities Services has been bringing in a professional cleaning company to clean and check the space for signs of growth activity every Friday.
“The professional cleaning company that we hired that has done some other mold remediation came out and did the cleanup. It was way, way, way below any threshold that required it be reported or treated as a hazardous substance,” Baker said.
According to Baker, the air conditioning system was changed five years ago. This improves air quality but does not fix the stagnant air circulation.
“I’ve got lots of brand new equipment, and while it’s a huge improvement over what it was, the air quality in the space is ideal, and the air circulation in the space will be fully corrected in the remodel,” Baker said.
Judith Norman, professor of philosophy, believes there is a mold problem in Chapman. According to Norman, at least one faculty member in her department has gotten sick this semester. Their symptoms went away after being relocated to a new office in another building.
“My experience is fairly partial, but there’s been an ongoing mold problem in our department, and I’ve heard sturdy stories of mold in other departments in Chapman. People who work here have gotten sick and have had to relocate, so the problem has resulted in sickness. It’s not clear how much because vulnerable faculty do not necessarily want to file a workers complaint,” Norman said.
Norman believes this has been an ongoing problem for about five years. Following the Chapman basement flood on Oct. 2, members of the Department of Philosophy discovered unidentified substances growing on books. Norman is certain that the issue is mold as opposed to another unidentified substance.
“The mold does destroy property. After the flood a few weeks ago, I was helping clear out some materials, and there was mold on them. It’s not a mold-like substance,” Norman said.
The department is hopeful that the upcoming Chapman renovation will alleviate some of these problems.
“We’re waiting. I mean, Chapman is going to be completely overhauled, and there’s a sense in which we’re all waiting for that to happen. But there’s also a sense in which some of these issues, health issues and property damage issues, you can’t really wait to take action on them. So it would be nice to have more custodial care and remediation taking place in the building in the meantime,” Norman said.
Other areas of Chapman have had a different experience. Edward Schumacher, chair of the Healthcare Administration program, has not noticed signs of mold.
“Obviously, everybody in Chapman is ready for the new building to be complete, but I think the issues that we have have been mostly with the whole building. We haven’t experienced anything dangerous or unpleasant,” Schumacher said.
ELON, N.C. — Hurricane Florence impacted coastal Carolina last September, and some Elon University students recently helped with restoration work that still needs to be done.
«It was fulfilling,» said Chloe Hultman, an Elon University senior.
A small group of students, part of the organization Elon Volunteers, packed their bags and headed to Wilmington, North Carolina, during their fall break this year to participate in service work. They restored the two mobile homes that were impacted severely damaged by the flood.
«A lot of homes had significant damage from the flooding. There was a lot of mildew and mold underneath flooring behind drywall,» said Talia Gallo, an Elon University sophomore.
The group put in new floors, painted and created a new clean space for two Wilmington families. The students say they were amazed by how much work still needed to be done in some of the areas.
«I couldn`t really get over the fact there was this area that had so much devastation that was lingering, and then 15 minutes from that, there was a very wealthy community, and just seeing that disparity was definitely impactful,» said Gallo.
The group plans to take a trip in the future to continue helping with Hurricane Florence relief efforts.
Damage Mold 