Indoor Air Quality Assessment at McKay Elementary School in Massachusetts

1. INDOOR AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENTMassachusetts Department of Public HealthBureau of Environmental Health Assessment McKay Elementary School McKay Street Beverly, Massachusetts

3. Indoor Air Quality General Areas that Influence Indoor Air Quality • Ventilation • Microbial Growth • Point Sources of Environmental Irritants

4. Indoor Air Quality InspectionCarbon Dioxide Levels • > 800 ppmindicates inadequate ventilation • 600-800 ppmacceptable air exchange • < 600 ppmis preferable in elementary schools

5. Indoor Air Quality Inspection Carbon Dioxide Levels • carbon dioxide levels are not a health hazard, it is used as a method for measuring the adequacy of ventilation

6. Indoor Air Quality Inspection Temperature Range Comfort Range: 70 o F to 78 o F

7. Indoor Air Quality Inspection Relative Humidity Range Comfort Range: 40 % to 60 %

8. Ceiling-Mounted Unit Ventilator in Classroom 2-O

9. Unit Ventilator Fresh Air Intake

10. Wall-Mounted Exhaust Vent in Basement Classroom

11. Abandoned Classroom Supply Vent

12. Abandoned Classroom Exhaust Vent

13. Louvered Chimney Cap Note Melted Snow Due to Escaping Classroom Heat

14. Dividing Wall between Basement Classrooms 2-O & 2-M Note Line Delineating New Section of GW

15. One of Several Dehumidifiers in the Basement Band Room Containing Standing Water

16. Light Penetration around Basement Classroom Exterior Door

17. Carpeting Installed on Stairs near Basement Exterior Door Note Water Damage along Bottom of Wooden Door

18. Trees/Roots Growing against the Building

19. Basement Kiln Vent, Note Configuration of Ductwork

20. Other Information Reviewed by MDPH specific to the McKay School • FLI Environmental -February 2001 • ATC Associates, Inc. -December 2002 • Gordon Mycology Laboratory, Inc. -January 2003

21. Major Findings • Based on the most recent mold tests, no airborne levels of mold that present health concern were measured in any of the occupied areas of the school. • Airborne levels of mold as well as bulk and swab samples indicating higher levels of mold were detected in the band room.

22. Major Findings • While not presently at levels of health concern, evidence of microbial growth on carpet and wallboard was detected in other basement area samples.

23. Major Findings • Kiln exhaust inappropriately connected to general exhaust system for girls/boy’s restroom. • Ventilation system is not adequate for provision of fresh air across the entire building. • Other ventilation issues related to either lack of supply/exhaust systems or systems not working in concert with another.

24. Major Recommendations • Do not use band room until complete remediation has been achieved. • Remove and replace any mold contaminated/water damaged wall paneling, insulation, carpeting and ceiling tiles in the band room. • This measure will remove actively growing mold colonies that may be present.

25. Major Recommendations • Although cleaning has eliminated microbial growth from the carpet, further growth can be expected to occur once water moistens carpet in below grade areas. • To avoid this occurrence, remove carpeting from basement areas where mold was detected prior to the recent cleaning. • If visible mold and/or moisture are present, clean with an appropriate microbiological agent. • Consider replacing basement carpets with an alternative sound attenuating floor tile. .

26. Major Recommendations • Remove rubber baseboard coving during carpet removal and examine for fungal growth. • If colonized with fungal growth, remove and replace up to six inches of gypsum wallboard along base of wall.

27. Major Recommendations • To maximize air exchange, operate unit ventilators continuously during periods of school occupancy independent of thermostat control. • If original ventilation systems are not fully restored in the building, seal abandoned exhaust and supply vents. • This includes all classroom vents as well as openings on the roof and basement ventilation shafts.

28. Major Recommendations • Supplement airflow in classrooms by using openable windows to control for comfort. • Care should be taken to ensure windows are properly closed at night and weekends to avoid the freezing of pipes and potential flooding. • Based on the age, physical deterioration and availability of parts for ventilation components, the BEHA strongly recommends that an HVAC engineering firm fully evaluate the ventilation system, if longer term use is planned.

29. Major Recommendations • Discontinue use of kiln unless a separate, dedicated ventilation exhaust system is installed for this equipment.

30. Findings Specific to Public Health • Given the presence of mold in some areas as well as the lack of a building-wide operable ventilation system a variety of symptoms frequently associated with lack of fresh indoor air would not be unexpected.

31. Findings Specific to Public Health • These symptoms can include respiratory, eye, nose and throat irritation, lethargy and headaches as well as exacerbation of pre-existing conditions (e.g. asthma or allergies). • Individuals with compromised immune systems or respiratory status may have experienced more serious symptoms.

32. Recommendations Specific to Public Health • For general student/teacher populations remediation should result in major reduction in general symptoms. • MDPH will continue to work with those individuals with either compromised immune system or respiratory status on further medical evaluation(s).

33. Massachusetts Department of Health Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment • Suzanne Condon, Assistant Commissioner • Elaine Krueger, Director, Environmental Toxicology • Michael Feeney, Director, Emergency Response/Indoor Air Quality • Cory Holmes, Environmental Analyst, Emergency Response/Indoor Air Quality

34. Copies of Reports can be examined at: • Beverly Public Library (hardcopy) • or • on the BEHA website under reports by community at • http://www.state.ma.us/dph/beha/iaq/reports/reports.htm#B

35. Questions ?