Possible Sources of Sick Building Syndrome in a Tennessee Middle School

Sick Building Syndrome has been reported with increasing frequency during recent years. Buildings that have sustained water damage harbor various molds, some of which may be toxic. Students and staff at Central Middle School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, reported symptoms similar to those associated w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of environmental health 2001-09, Vol.56 (5), p.413-417
Main Authors: Scheel, Christina M., Rosing, Wayne C., Farone, Anthony L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Air Pollution, Indoor - adverse effects
Biological and medical sciences
Cellulose
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Child
Construction Materials
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Monitoring
Humans
Medical sciences
mold spores
Risk Assessment
Schools
Sick Building Syndrome
Sick Building Syndrome - etiology
Sick Building Syndrome - pathology
Spores, Fungal
Stachybotrys
Stachybotrys - isolation & purification
Stachybotrys - pathogenicity
Tennessee
Toxicology
Various organic compounds
Water
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Summary:Sick Building Syndrome has been reported with increasing frequency during recent years. Buildings that have sustained water damage harbor various molds, some of which may be toxic. Students and staff at Central Middle School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, reported symptoms similar to those associated with Sick Building Syndrome. Upon investigation, investigators noted that a black fungal growth occurred throughout the building on wet cellulose ceiling tiles. Fungal growth of this type is consistent with the genus Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys spores contain macrocyclic trichothecenes, which may cause harm when inhaled or ingested. Bulk sampling of the black mold was initiated, and the samples were cultured in a moist chamber. Testing of the samples confirmed the presence of Stachybotrys spp., a finding that implies that air sampling procedures should ensue. Professional remediation of this potentially hazardous fungal contaminant is therefore recommended.
ISSN:0003-9896
2331-4303
DOI:10.1080/00039890109604476