In addition to climate, changes in how schools are built are a contributing factor. Gypsum wallboard, now widely used in place of plaster, allows a fertile environment in which mold can grow. While older school buildings did not have carpeting, it is common today, and that too can be a breeding ground for mold. Flat roofs, which make it harder to detect leaks, also contribute, says Quade Stahl, chief of the indoor air quality branch of the Texas Department of Health. And there are no state or federal air quality standards for mold.

Indeed, the problems are widespread and expensive. A solution that economically controls humidity to prevent mold growth is ideal.

In the Rio Grande Valley, mold discovery has sent thousands of students to temporary classrooms, cost school districts millions, and generated lawsuits, the Houston Chronicle reported in 2002.

School Problem

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School District's Memorial High School, a $23 million project, had been open less than three years when mold issues reached crisis stage.

Mold grew on ceilings, walls, equipment, and books. Students and staff complained of allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and in some cases, neurological responses to the poor air quality. On two separate occasions, students staged a walkout to protest the conditions.

As with many schools, the indoor air quality at the three-year-old school was poor due to high ventilation and people loads in classrooms, high intermittent ventilation loads and carryover from showers in gyms and locker rooms, and long periods where the building was unoccupied. Unconditioned and uncontrolled hot, humid outside air from ventilation and infiltration had brought in so much moisture, the building had reached a saturation point. Small roof and window leaks also contributed to the problem, and mold proliferated.

Desks and floors were wet; humidity inside the building was as high as 90 percent.

"We had a lot of complaints from teachers and from staff and from students - some staff and students were becoming ill," says Arturo Guajardo, superintendent of PSJA School District.

Two air quality studies recommended replacing ceiling tiles and cleaning up the mold, but did not address the source.

The school district filed a lawsuit with the contractors, which was reported by the Houston Chronicle to be settled for more than $20 million. Students and school personnel filed more than 1,600 health claims.

Solution

Large volumes of fresh outside air are drawn into the building to meet heath and ventilation codes; unfortunately this outside air is also the main source of humidity. AIAQ brought in Munters equipment to begin supplying dry air to the building via temporary desiccant dryers. While the mold was removed and materials replaced, the company designed a permanent system using Munters desiccant dehumidifiers.

The permanent drying equipment conditions outside air and pressurizes the building to keep humid air from being drawn inside. Prior to incorporating Munters desiccant dehumidification, the school used a conventional refrigeration based ventilating system which was operated to meet a setpoint 12 hours a day, five days a week. During nights and weekends, the humidity rose and the building absorbed moisture. When the equipment turned back on, the energy required to dry the building was significant. By incorporating Munters dehumidifiers and controlling humidity at all times, the building remained dry and significantly reduced the total building energy cost.

Results

Teachers no longer have to show up early to clean books and other classroom materials, and attendance has increased because kids are healthier.

"Two previous studies offered solutions that didn't address the source of the problem," says Bill Holder, senior vice president of AIAQ. "The most effective way to control a high-humidity environment is to employ desiccant dehumidifiers. Today, Memorial High School's hourly operating costs have decreased 50 percent."

Publication date: 09/06/2004