Possible Sources of Sick Building Syndrome in a Tennessee Middle School

• 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
• ISSN: 0003-9896; 2331-4303
• DOI: 10.1080/00039890109604476

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.