It may be hidden behind walls or in air vents. Fumigation alone is not a cure. Dead mold still has toxic materials and may actually be more of a problem since dead mold can dry out, become airborne and more easily be inhaled, Stahl said. Solutions include fixing leaks and cleaning up spills promptly, drying the area within 24 hours, discarding water-damaged items, using the proper size air conditioning unit, venting humid air directly to the outside and keeping relative humidity below 60 percent. Making visual inspections of schools and noting health complaints will help identify problem areas.
Many people are aware of outdoor air pollution.
Today, people spend nearly 90 percent of their time indoors, so the exposure to these pollutants is significant. These problems occur not only in schools but also in other enclosed areas such as homes, public buildings, offices, airplanes, enclosed sports arenas and autos. But schools, according to Stahl, present a unique problem. Also, children and staff are close together, with the typical school having four or more times as many occupants as office buildings in the same floor space. And school districts face budget and resource constraints that affect design and maintenance.