CARNEYS POINT TWP. — The discovery of mold at Field Street School has forced district officials to temporarily move students to other areas of the building until remediation is complete.
The mold — which officials said is not dangerous — was caused by an influx of heavy rainfall this summer and the recent humidity.
“There is no danger. Kids will return with staff to their classrooms once the final quality test is clear,” said Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Massare on Thursday afternoon.
After the mold was discovered on Friday, the district called environmental consultant Coastal Environmental Compliance to do testing. Staff had complained of a musty smell in parts of the school.
The report, which came back Tuesday, said elevated levels of airborne allergens were found in some classrooms, but relocating the students to other classrooms would keep them safe.
Field Street School houses first through third-grade students, including some classrooms with about 22 students.
A take-home letter was sent to parents — along with a telephone notification — on Wednesday after the district was aware of the problem and of the corrective action needed.
Representatives from the Salem County Department of Health and Human Services visited the school Thursday morning following an anonymous complaint.
Environmental Health Coordinator Chris Merkel said there is no policy requiring schools to notify the health department about mold.
“We want to be involved in these discussions so we can aid them in resolving the situation in an appropriate manner,” Merkel said.
Merkel added that there are also no regulations that govern mold in terms of required testing in schools.
“The health department does not test for mold. Typically, the school district will hire an environmental firm. And for health related concerns, it depends on the individual. Mold is everywhere in the environment,” Merkel said.
The department encourages school districts to address issues and to assist staff, parents and students with education about mold, he added.
According to Massare, the consultants from Coastal checked the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems in the school and brought in dehumidifiers.
“With a very wet history this summer and the humidity, that keeps some of the condensed air in the system,” Massare explained.
The affected area, which is the section of the school built about 12 years ago, includes seven classrooms.
An additional five rooms were partially contaminated, district administration said.
There are approximately 520 students at Field Street School, which houses first through third grades.
“We are doing everything quickly and appropriately,” Massare said.
Business Administrator Brian Ferguson said some of the classrooms could hold twice the usual number amount of students, but educational instruction will not suffer.
According to Merkel, when there is an ongoing water intrusion or high moisture problem, mold growth is directly related. Temperature and relative humidity readings and samplings in locations both inside and outside of the building were tested, according to the school district.
After receiving the test findings, the district sought services of the professional remediation company to take all necessary steps to clean and fix the affected areas.
Once the work is complete, the district will continue to regularly monitor the areas to ensure that the best environment for student learning is maintained, according to a press release from the district.
The superintendent said crews were expected to begin the remediation process Thursday night, which should not take more than two weeks.
Merkel said that rapid mold growth can affect people with pre-existing, underlying health conditions.
“Any parent who has a concern about their child should reach out to their family doctor,” Merkel advised.
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Contact staff writer Brittany M. Wehner call 856-935-1500 or email bwehner@southjerseymedia.com