Post on 15-Apr-2020
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February 21, 2014 Mr. David A. Snow Associate Director Physical Plant Community College of Rhode Island – Liston Campus One Hilton Street Providence, Rhode Island 02905‐2304
Re: Mold Assessment Community College of Rhode Island – Liston Campus One Hilton Street, Providence, Rhode Island
Dear Mr. Snow: At the request of the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), Triumvirate Environmental, Inc. (TEI) performed mold assessment activities at the noted location (the Site) on February 7, 2014. Inspection and air sampling was conducted in select locations within the building. An area outside of the building was sampled for mold and used as a control or "background” concentration. The CCRI Liston Campus is a brick structure with drywall construction with carpet and tile floors. The structure is a two‐story institutional building that contains over twenty classrooms, workshop areas, a central atrium and an auditorium. Mr. David Snow, the Associate Director of Physical Plant, was interviewed. Mr. Snow indicated that CCRI Liston Campus employees complained of moldy conditions within classrooms 2248 and 2249. On February 7, 2014, an inspection of classrooms 2248 and 2249 was conducted and indoor air samples were collected. An evaluation for the presence of or likely presence of significant mold was completed. The classrooms were inspected for evidence of water, dampness, mold growth and mold damaged materials. Curling wallpaper was observed on the west wall in classroom 2248, in the vicinity of a window. The window overlooks an enclosed indoor hallway. No evidence of mold growth or odor was observed in the areas that were inspected as part of this evaluation. Representative air samples were collected from the following areas:
Room 2248 ‐ center of room
Room 2249 ‐ on teacher’s desk
Background – southeast side of the Liston Campus / outside of doorway B The locations of assessment work are shown on the enclosed photographs. Each sample was submitted for non‐viable mold spore count analysis.
Mold Assessment Community College of Rhode Island ‐ Liston Campus Page 2 of 3
Air samples were collected using a calibrated sample pump and Air‐O‐Cell sample cassettes. The sample pump was calibrated to sample a total of 200 liters of air through the cassette. The start and end times of each sample were recorded, and the analytical results were calculated for the actual collection time. All mold samples were analyzed at Convino Environmental Associates, Inc. of Woburn, Massachusetts by direct microscopic examination for total fungal structures (i.e. mold spores and hyphae). A copy of the analytical report is enclosed. The results are summarized on the table below and expressed in spores per cubic meter (s/m3).
Mold Analytical Results Table As indicated in the Mold Analytical Results Table, the background concentration of total fungal structures was 15 s/m3, while the indoor concentrations were non‐detect. Based on a comparison of indoor mold counts to the outdoor mold count concentration it is unlikely that uncontrolled mold growth is occurring in the areas evaluated within the Liston Campus. Typically, under normal operating conditions, the background (outdoor) concentration of total fungal structures is higher than the concentration measured within the building, as shown by the results. Currently, there is no state or federal regulations for mold concentration evaluation. The industry accepted practice is to evaluate mold counts from a site specific background sample and to evaluate relative concentrations. The background concentration represents anticipated potential loading from exterior areas and concentrations without conditions supporting mold growth. Additionally, mold counts above 1,000 are generally elevated and would warrant additional evaluation. It is the opinion of TEI that the inspection and sampling results indicate mold counts are within acceptable ranges. No evidence of unusual odors, mold associated staining, water infiltration or mold growth was observed. This report is based on the conditions existing at the Site on the dates of site visits, field investigation activities, and presented testing results. Investigations conducted were non‐destructive and were based upon readily observable conditions. Past conditions are considered on the basis of readily available records, interviews, and recollections. Site conditions are subject to variations and changes over time. The concentration of total fungal structures varies both seasonally and regionally, therefore direct comparison between the data presented in this document and other data is not recommended. Certain individuals in populations may have sensitivity to particular and unique contaminants that may be present and not detected by the screening analysis performed.
Room 2248 Room 2249 Background
Basidiospores 0 0 15
Total 0 s/m3 0 s/m3 15 s/m3
Mold Assessment Community College of Rhode Island ‐ Liston Campus Page 3 of 3
If you have any questions or comments please contact the undersigned. Thank you. Sincerely, TRIUMVIRATE ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. Craig Sasse, LSP Sarah Rocklin Technical Manager Environmental Engineer Enclosures (3)
Photographs Site Map Mold Analytical Report
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Site Map
Second Floor Community College of Rhode Island
Liston Campus One Hilton Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02905‐2304
TRIUMVIRATE ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. 200 Inner Belt Road
Somerville, MA 02143 (800) 966‐9282, Fax: (617) 628‐8099