Lochearn School Repair Update - Air Quality Report
On November 21, 2014, viable mould air samples were taken at the Lochearn School in Rocky Mountain House as part of the regular monitoring of mould within the school. As per previous testing, seven (7) mould air samples were taken inside the building and one (1) outside as a control. The eight (8) mould air samples were taken to R.H. Services, a private lab in Edmonton, for analysis.
Floor Plan:
See attachment
Results:
For interpretation of viable mould air test results, Alberta Infrastructure refers to the 1995 publication (revised 2004) by Health Canada entitled “Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: A guide to recognition and management”. In this publication it states when to sample and how to interpret viable mould air test results.
In 2009, the Alberta Government- Employment and Immigration Department also produced a “Best Practices Mould at the Work Site” guide that also states when to sample and how to interpret viable mould air test results, and references the same 1995 Health Canada information.
Health Canada (as of 2012) now states they generally do not recommend air testing since people have different sensitivities to mould and therefore it is not possible to establish safe limits for mould.
Alberta Infrastructure recognizes this, but still believes that air testing is necessary in certain circumstances. For mould investigations we will continue to air test when we believe it will add value to the findings of the investigation. Results will still be compared to the 1995 Health Canada publication.
The 1995 Health Canada publication states that a maximum total count of up to 150 CFU/M3 is acceptable inside a building, and that each type of mould within the total count should be no more than 50 CFU/M3 (other than outside moulds like Cladosporium or Alternaria which can be as high as 500 CFU/M3).
Viable Mould Air Test Results - See attachment
Observations/Findings:
- All viable mould air test samples are acceptable.
- Interior drywall has been repaired in the front entrance area and there are no further signs of water infiltration or damage in this area, or any of the other test areas.
- Sample 1 ( Room 159) was taken next to the dental equipment recently set up in the room.
- Sample 4 (Room 198) was taken next to the gerbil cage.
- Sample 5 (Room 196) was taken with the interior door of the room between the offices open. This room previous had a water damaged ceiling tile.
Recommendations:
- Continue to monitor for any visible signs of water infiltration or mould growth.
- Contact us to conduct regular mould air testing until roof repairs are complete. Next testing should be done in late March or early April, preferably on a PD day or on a school holiday.
