Work began last week to remove mold from pipes located in tunnels underneath Webber Elementary School on Clarkston Road.
Webber Principal Sarah Manzo said the school hired Michigan Envinronmental Auditors, Inc. to test the air quality after noticing an odor in the upper elementary area.
The good news is tests showed normal air quality in all of Webber’s classrooms and hallways.
The bad news is tunnels running under the floors of the classrooms and hallways have high concentrations of a common allergen mold, penicillium.
It is believed the mold problem was caused by water seepage into the tunnels.
?(The envrironmental company) did swapping and air quality tests in November,? Manzo said, adding that it took longer than expected to get the results back.
‘We had a smell, which was what drew (the company) out,? she said. ‘That (smell) actually had nothing to do with (the mold).?
Penicillium is a common allergen in humans.
‘If you have a mold allergy, it will heighten your symptoms,? Manzo said of the Penicillium. ‘We’ve had a couple of parents say the kids seem to have their (allergy) symptoms earlier.?
She said the tunnels under the school house old and new piping, some of which is used, and some not. There is insulation around the pipes.
Originally work to correct the problem was scheduled to be done over winter break, because originally Manzo thought they would have to go through the floor in the main hallway to get to the tunnels.
However, the company hired to do the work will be able to dig a tunnel outside to provide access to where the mold problem is.
‘We don’t know how long it will take,? Manzo said. ‘There’s dirt in the tunnels, and they found ripples. So they have to find the source of the water and stop it (the water).?
Manzo said work will also include removing old insulation and putting in new, if needed.
The walls of the tunnels will also be scrubbed and sanitized, and the dirt covered with sheets of plastic.
Air filters in classrooms will be changes monthly.
‘There’s nothing in the air,? she said. ‘If there was anything to be alarmed about, I would have removed all the students and teachers.?
Because the tunnels can be accessed from outside, Manzo said classes will go on as the work is done.
Manzo did not yet know what the cost would be to the school district to have the work done.
A letter was sent home informing parents of the situation on Jan. 27. The letter said that anyone who wished to see the detailed results from the Michigan Environmental Auditors could visit the main office.
So far, Manzo said only one parent has come in to look at them.
‘But we can still have classes since nothing was found in the air,? she said, adding that this is something that has been a problem at Webber for years.
‘You don’t find too many tunnels in public places,? she said.