&EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Environments Division (6609J)
EPA-402-F-03-029, January 2004
Indoor Air Quality
Tools for Schools
When mold grows in school buildings and portable
classrooms, some staff and students, particularly those
with allergies or respiratory problems, may report
adverse health effects.
Mold requires oxygen, water, and a source of food to
grow. There are molds that can grow on almost anything
including: wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation.
Controlling moisture is the key to managing mold in
schools.
Why is Mold Growing in Your School?
• Mold grows in schools when airborne mold spores land
on a damp "food source" and begin digesting it in
order to survive.
• The water required for mold growth can enter school
buildings and portable classrooms through leaky roofs,
pipes, windows, foundations, and other structural
openings. Water may also enter schools due to floods,
poor drainage, or mis-directed sprinklers.
• Moisture problems in schools can result from scheduled
maintenance activities or conditions during school
breaks such as:
• Increased moisture due to painting or carpet
cleaning;
• High humidity during the summer; and
• No air conditioning or heating system operation
(or reduced use) when school is not in session.
• When moisture enters the building and its interior
structure, it can condense as it comes into contact with
cooler indoor surfaces, such as windows, walls, and
water pipes.
Where Does Mold Grow in Schools?
• Mold growth often results from excess moisture or
water build-up in the following areas:
•
.
Photos above: mold growing on the surface of
a unit ventilator and a ceiling tile.
• On roof materials above ceilings;
• Around windows;
• Near water fountains;
• On walls, ceiling tiles, and other visible surfaces;
• On hidden surfaces, such as the back side of dry
wall or wall coverings;
• Around bathroom tiles;
• In cooling coil drip pans and inside ductwork; and
• In books and carpet.
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Indoor Air Quality
Tools for Schools
What Health Effects are Associated with
Mold?
• Potential health effects associated with mold exposure
may include irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and
lungs of both mold allergic and non-allergic people.
• In sensitive individuals allergic reactions can be caused
by breathing in or touching mold.
• Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some
people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold and
leave it there, the mold must be removed.
How Can You Manage Mold in
Schools?
• The key to controlling indoor mold growth in schools is
to control moisture.
• Conduct maintenance as scheduled and perform regular
school building inspections for signs of mold, moisture,
and leaks.
• Report all water leaks and moisture problems immediately
to your maintenance staff.
• Clean and dry damp or wet building materials and
furnishings within 24^48 hours after a leak or spill to
prevent mold growth.
• Keep indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%:
• Ventilate bathrooms, locker rooms, and other
moisture-generating sources to the outside.
• Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
• Scrub mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent,
and dry completely.
• Remove and replace porous materials, such as ceiling
tiles or carpet, that become moldy.
• Avoid installing carpet in areas with perpetual moisture
problems:
• Near drinking fountains and classroom sinks.
• On concrete floors in contact with the ground and
subject to frequent condensation.
Photo above: mold growing on backside of wallboard.
m Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with
insulation.
• Ensure that the school operates exhaust systems, such as
bathroom fans, together with air conditioning or heating
systems.
• Establish policies that restrict moisture generating
activities, such as carpet cleaning, during vacation unless
moisture removing equipment is operating. Consider
cycling the air conditioning system several hours every
day or running portable dehumidifiers.
• Participate in U.S. EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools Program.
This program provides guidance on good maintenance
practices that help prevent mold growth and other
IAQ problems.
Additional Resources
You can find more information on mold-related issues
and moisture prevention in the following EPA documents:
• Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
• IAQ Tools for Schools Kit
• Managing Asthma in the School Environment
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