South Topsail Elementary classroom reopens after indoor air quality testing
HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — South Topsail Elementary School has returned to normal operations following additional cleaning and indoor air quality testing in a classroom, Pender County Schools announced Wednesday.
The school temporarily closed Room 108 while additional cleaning and corrective work were completed. Students and staff used another space in the school during the work.
The district hired The EI Group to conduct an indoor air quality screening of the classroom on Aug. 28. The assessment included a visual inspection, moisture readings and airborne fungal spore sampling.
According to the report, no visible signs of suspected fungal growth or elevated moisture were found in accessible areas of the classroom during the assessment.
The report also found the classroom’s air diffusers and return were clean, with no visible dust or suspected microbial growth.
Indoor temperature and humidity readings were within recommended guidelines. The classroom temperature was measured at 77.3 degrees, with relative humidity at 45.7%. Outdoor temperature averaged 79.1 degrees, while outdoor relative humidity averaged 90%.
Air samples were collected inside Room 108 and compared with two outdoor reference samples.
The report found that airborne fungal concentrations inside the classroom were lower than the outdoor reference levels, both overall and for individual spore concentrations.
The types of fungal spores identified indoors were also similar to those found in the outdoor samples.
Based on the assessment and review by environmental professionals working with the district, Pender County Schools said Room 108 was cleared to reopen. Students and staff have returned to the classroom, and the school is operating normally.
The EI Group report did note that its assessment was limited to the observed areas within the classroom. It did not include the bathroom and plumbing penetrations, ceiling plenums or building exteriors.
The company recommended that a comprehensive mold and moisture assessment of Room 108 include those areas, as well as the HVAC systems.
The report also recommended changing HVAC filters according to manufacturer-recommended intervals and maintaining a regular housekeeping schedule to limit airborne dust.
The EI Group noted that mold and mold spores are part of the natural environment and that controlling indoor moisture is important to prevent mold growth.
Pender County Schools said the classroom has been cleared based on the testing results and that the school has returned to normal operations.
