Air sampling shows elevated level of mold in auditorium at Southview High building

Air monitoring has shown a high level of mold in the water-damaged auditorium of Southview High School.

The testing conducted by Emerald Environmental Inc., detected 57,000 traces per cubic meter of penicillium/aspergillus mold near the auditorium’s seating. The average for a “clean commercial” building is 600 fungal structures per cubic meter of air sampled, the report states.

The stage of the auditorium registered 20,000 structures per cubic meter of the same type of mold.

People who are sensitive to molds may experience stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing and skin irritation when exposed to it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Exposure to large amounts of mold could cause fever, shortness of breath and fungal infections in the lungs in some instances.

Chief Operations Officer Daniel J. DeNicola stated in a memo to Interim Superintendent Ed Branham that the level of mold was “comparable to outdoor environments during high pollen/hair fever season.”

Beginning next school year, the building is expected to become the temporary high school, while the new high school is being built.

Students will not be permitted in the building until the mold issue has been dealt with, said Tim Williams, school board president.

“Until the building is at what is by code acceptable, there won’t be any occupancy,” he said. “There will be no compromise on health or safety. That is our expectation of all of our buildings.”

The mold growth came about due to a leaky roof over the auditorium and a power failure, the report states.

School officials placed caution tape at the auditorium doors to keep people out while the testing was done. Officials have repeatedly described the auditorium and neighboring “music wing” as the most troubled part of the building.