NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) program was asked by Superintendent Barbara Malkas to examine Brayton Elementary School to assess the presence of water damage and mold growth resulting from high relative humidity conditions that occurred during August 2024. 

 

Pertinent results of the inspection included:

Once water damage remediation efforts have been completed, MDPH recommends the district take following actions:

The school was inspected on Aug. 30, 2024.

 

Last month, parents were notified that "due to intense heat and humidity this past summer, we've seen an increase in mildew, especially in one classroom that lacks windows" and that an "aggressive" remediation plan was in place. 

 

The School Committee on Monday heard a report from the consultant hired to evaluate air quality at Brayton Elementary School after the mold was found in a classroom.

 

During the August inspection, IAQ staff conducted a visual inspection of ground floor areas. Air temperature and relative humidity were measured in each room. Surface temperatures of floors and walls were measured to determine if building components were at or below the dew point (the temperature where condensation will gather on a cold surface).

 

The summer of 2024 had significant stretches of hot, humid weather, and the report noted that Massachusetts has experienced extreme weather conditions over the past several summers.

 

According to the report, these conditions are challenging for buildings, particularly those without central air conditioning. The report indicates that the source of the water vapor causing damage in the school was a combination of high relative humidity during the preceding summer months and water vapor migration from dry drain traps in classroom sink drains. The report noted that heavy rain entering the North Adams storm and sewer system would "likely force water vapor and air back up [through] the sink drain system, which then caused condensation on stored materials and building components." 

 

At the time of the MDPH/IAQ visit, the district was in the process of undertaking remediation efforts, and these efforts were identified by MDPH/IAQ as being conducted in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings guidelines. The IAQ staff inspected all classrooms and examined all of the equipment being treated, including the OT/PT equipment that had originally prompted concern, and did not identify any visible mold, except in two guitar cases that were in storage. All affected items were disposed of immediately. These guitars had not been used by students this year. Based on the observations made during the visit, IAQ noted that it appeared that "most water-damaged materials were thoroughly dried and/or removed."

 

Malkas has requested that Michael Feeney, Director of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) program, present the report findings and recommendations to the School Committee. Mr. Feeney will address the School Committee at their regularly-scheduled meeting on Oct.1, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Brayton Elementary School library. In addition, Malkas has requested a general indoor air quality assessment from MDPH/IAQ following the completion of the

remediation efforts, as recommended in the report.

 

The MPDH/IAQ report package can be found at: Cover Letter Full MDPH/IAQ Report