Mold Problem Resolved With Desiccant Dehumidification
Mold in schools is getting a lot of attention at the local, state and federal levels - and it's getting expensive. For example, in 2002, an Austin, Texas, school district passed a $49.3 million bond issue to pay for mold removal and preventive maintenance in 91 schools. That same year, the Texas Department of Health said at least 10 school districts had reported mold problems in the last year.
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.