Report: No elevated mold levels in Panther Valley Elementary

Parents of Panther Valley Elementary students can breathe easy.

A recent air quality test at Panther Valley Elementary School revealed no elevated levels of mold.

However, the company conducting the tests recommended an air quality action plan, which school officials say they are following.

School officials said the test was commissioned after other schools in the area reported problems with mold at the beginning of the year.

“Mr. Krajnak (George ‘Smokey’ Krajnak, buildings and grounds supervisor for Panther Valley School District) was aware of the situation involving other school districts and school buildings in the area and wanted to be proactive in addressing any possible concerns that may arise in our own buildings,” said Dennis Kergick, Panther Valley School District superintendent.

Datom Products Inc. of Dunmore, through a subcontractor, Cocciaridi Associates, conducted an environmental mold assessment inside the elementary school on Oct. 18.

“The recommendations were to change filters, do a little better air circulation, and make sure we are watching the ceiling tiles,” Krajnak said.

The air quality test was done in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Health recommended practices.

Spore counts in the five classrooms tested were much lower than outside levels. The five classrooms tested had between 10 and 20 percent the number of mold spores as was detected outside the building. A single spore of stachybotrys/memnoniella was found, which is insignificant when considering the outside sample turned up 34,740 spores.

The test also included environmental monitoring for temperature and humidity; and a visual assessment of fungal growth indicators including odors, stains and water damage.

The visual test revealed no unusual odors or visible fungal growth, or elevated moisture in building components.

The environmental monitoring revealed high levels of relative humidity in the five rooms tested, including the library and computer room.

Krajnak said he believes the elevated humidity was due in part to the fact that it was 62 percent humidity outside on the day of the test. He said the school also limited the amount of outside air flowing into the building because of concerns from staff that the air flowing into the building was too cold.

“Now we’ve started opening them up. Trying to balance making the teachers happy and kids happy, and get some better air quality,” he said.