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August 3, 2004
Mold: For schools, a story that never seems to go away
Extra, the weekly blog published by American School Board Journal, points to the threat of unsavory companies targeting schools for mold cleanup:
"One trend that we predicted is coming true: 'Mold remediation' companies can too easily scam school districts," Extra reports. "Because there is little oversight or licensing, these companies can invent data, overcharge, and underperform. School districts beware. A company in New York is under federal investigation for defrauding schools in Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and South Carolina.
" 'This is a man who took advantage of the fear that exists in certain school districts,' Connecticut U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor told the Norfolk Times.
"According to court documents, Ronald Schongar created false lab reports about the indoor air quality of schools in Connecticut, then offered his company's services. 'He then falsely and fraudulently told school officials the company's product was registered with and approved by the EPA. In the end, Schongar claimed the chemicals had alleviated the air problems he identified,' the paper reported.
"One reason schools may get into trouble by hiring unsavory firms is that when mold is found, the community wants action fast, and will blame the board if it is not taken.
"In Washington Township, a Pennsylvania school district, the school board is taking some heat following a mold controversy that could cost the district $10.5 million. 'Discovery of mold this spring led to acrimony between school officials and parents who said the school board was not acting fast enough,' reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
" 'The mold issue arose in early spring, when some children began to develop illnesses from what their parents suspected was mold in the schools. Several parents later said the board took too long studying the problem and did not act promptly to deal with it. ... About 20 students from the two schools were sent to another district school after the mold was discovered.' "
Craig Colgan, American School Board Journal associate editor, pointed to the issue in an October 2003 article: "A hot topic among school facilities professionals is how to spot charlatans knocking on school district doors, offering services or products geared to making a fast buck, especially at moments when schools might be reeling from recent bad news.
"Greg Baker, senior associate at AMEC Earth and Environmental in Oregon, has seen how some school districts get it right and others get it wrong. Baker, an industrial hygienist and indoor air quality practitioner, advises school leaders to educate themselves about air quality and building hazards. And then, he says, be quite discerning when a self-professed expert comes knocking.
"One school district Baker worked with had been approached by a vendor offering a chemical fumigation of one of its mold-infested buildings for $75,000.
'I told the school district that fumigating the building does not do anything for mold,' Baker says. 'It can't kill fungi. And why would you want to introduce toxic chemicals into the school environment?' "
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosts a mold resources website, as well as a site for issues related to mold in schools. EPA is hosting a national mold in schools symposium Dec. 2-4 in Washington, D.C. Any mold stories out there? Let us know.
Posted August 3, 2004 12:00 AM
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