Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Consultants Tel. (508) Tel. (800) Fax (508)

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1 OccuHealth, Inc. 44 Wood Avenue Mansfield, MA Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Consultants Tel. (508) Tel. (800) Fax (508) December 21, 2007 Mr. Mark LaFleur Director of Plant Operations Town of Needham 1330 Highland Avenue Needham, MA RE: Indoor Air Quality Testing Media Center and NEAT Room Newman Elementary School 1155 Central Avenue Needham, Massachusetts Dear Mr. LaFleur: OccuHealth, Inc. (OHI) is submitting the enclosed report for the indoor air quality testing conducted on December 11, 2007 in the Media Center and NEAT Room at the Newman Elementary School located at 1155 Central Avenue in Needham, Massachusetts. Please call me at (508) with any questions regarding this report. Thank you for the opportunity to be of continued service. Regards, OCCUHEALTH, INC. Enclosure Thomas E. Hamilton, CIH

2 OccuHealth INDOOR AIR QUALITY TESTING MEDIA CENTER AND NEAT ROOM NEWMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1155 CENTRAL AVENUE NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS Prepared for: MR. MARK LAFLEUR DIRECTOR OF PLANT OPERATIONS TOWN OF NEEDHAM 1330 HIGHLAND AVENUE NEEDHAM, MA Conducted by: OCCUHEALTH, INC. 4 4 W OOD AVENUE MANSFIELD, MA (508) PROJECT # Report Date: DECEMBER 21, 2007

3 INDOOR AIR QUALITY TESTING MEDIA CENTER AND NEAT ROOM NEWMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1155 CENTRAL AVENUE NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION DESCRIPTION PAGE 1.0 Introduction Inspection Airborne Mold Spore Testing Bulk Dust Analysis Conclusions Recommendations Limitations...4 Attachments Airborne Mold Spore Analysis Laboratory Report Bulk Surface Sample Analysis Laboratory Report EAA Chain-of-Custody Form

4 Indoor Air Quality Testing Page 1 Newman Elementary School, Needham, MA Report Date: December 21, 2007 Report Synopsis: On December 11, 2007, OccuHealth, Inc. conducted indoor air quality testing in the Media Center and NEAT Room in the Newman Elementary School located at 1155 Central Avenue in Needham, Massachusetts. OHI inspected the Media Center and adjoining rooms and collected four air samples for mold spore analysis in the rooms. OHI also collected a sample of brown-colored dust for qualitative analysis from supply air diffuser in the NEAT room. Based on the inspection findings and the results of analytical testing, OHI concludes that the air quality in the Media Center and adjoining rooms was acceptable on the date of testing with respect to airborne mold spore levels. OHI does not offer any recommendations with regard to mold in these spaces. OHI also concludes that the dust accumulating in the ductwork serving the NEAT room is comprised of sands and other inorganics. OHI concludes that the source of the dust should be identified and repaired and that the ductwork should be cleaned if necessary. Specific recommendations are provided in Section INTRODUCTION OccuHealth, Inc. (OHI) was requested to conduct indoor air quality testing in the Media Center and NEAT Room in the Newman Elementary School located at 1155 Central Avenue in Needham, Massachusetts. OHI inspected the Media Center and adjoining rooms and collected four air samples for mold spore analysis in the rooms. OHI also collected a sample of brown-colored dust for qualitative analysis from the ductwork in the NEAT room. The assessment was conducted on December 11, 2007 by Mr. Thomas Hamilton, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), of OHI. This project was requested and authorized by Mr. Mark LaFleur of the Town of Needham, Massachusetts. 2.0 INSPECTION OHI did not observe any evidence of water damage or mold growth in the Media Center (Library), the technicians office, the supply office or the media office. OHI also did not observe any evidence of water damage or mold growth in the NEAT room. OHI did not detect any olfactory evidence of mold growth in any of the rooms.

5 Indoor Air Quality Testing Page 2 Newman Elementary School, Needham, MA Report Date: December 21, AIRBORNE MOLD SPORE TESTING Sampling and Analytical Methodology OHI collected air samples for mold spore analysis in the library, the technicians office, the supply office, and the media office. The air samples were collected using a high volume pump with Zefon Air-O-Cell cassettes. An Air-O-Cell cassette is a spore and dust trap which allows for rapid detection and identification of mold spores using bright light microscopy. Culturable and non-viable mold spores are collected and counted. The analytical results can be compared to data from available studies and to levels seen outdoors. The sample pump was calibrated to a flow rate of 15 liters per minute and the samples were collected for 5 minutes. The sample pump utilized for the air sampling was calibrated before the sampling event using a precision rotameter. This rotameter was in turn calibrated using a primary standard. The samples were submitted under chain-of-custody for analysis to Environmental Analysis Associates (EAA) of San Diego, California. Copies of the EAA laboratory report and chain-of-custody form are attached. Analytical Results The analytical results are summarized in the table on the following page. To interpret the results, an airborne mold spore concentration of less than 2,000 counts per cubic meter of 3 3 air (cts/m ) as a total spore count, and less than 1,000 cts/m for any one genera of mold is 3 considered low or clean for an indoor environment. Counts above 2,000 cts/m in indoor air samples are considered elevated if they are different genera from those detected outdoors. Laboratory analysis indicates that the mold spore concentrations in the four air samples collected in the school library and adjoining spaces were acceptable. The identified mold spore types are not typically associated with health problems at the measured concentrations.

6 Indoor Air Quality Testing Page 3 Newman Elementary School, Needham, MA Report Date: December 21, 2007 Airborne Mold Spore Testing Results Location Sample Number Total Mold Spores 3 (cts/m ) Predominant Mold Genera (cts/m 3 ) Library Smuts/Myxomycetes (200) Cladosporium (110) Technicians Office Cladosporium (219) Basidiospores (110) Supply Office Basidiospores (219) Cladosporium (110) Unidentified brown fungi (110) Media Office Basidiospores (55) Bipolaris (55) Cladosporium (55) Unidentified brown fungi (55) 3 cts/m = counts per cubic meter of air 4.0 BULK DUST ANALYSIS Sampling and Analytical Methodology OHI collected a sample of brown-colored dust from the supply air ductwork serving the NEAT room. The sample was sealed in a bag and forwarded to EAA for qualitative analysis. A copy of the EAA laboratory report is attached. Analytical Results The laboratory determined that the dust is an inorganic, sandy mixture of quartz, clays and vermiculite. The likely source of the dust is most likely from a break in the duct between the mechanical room and the room where gravel is leaking into the duct. The fines from the gravel are transported into the room by the air moving in the supply air duct. Its presence in the ductwork does not pose a threat to the health of the room occupants but it can be an irritant. OHI provides recommendations below.

7 Indoor Air Quality Testing Page 4 Newman Elementary School, Needham, MA Report Date: December 21, CONCLUSIONS Based on the inspection findings and the results of analytical testing, OHI concludes that the air quality in the library and adjoining rooms was acceptable on the date of testing with respect to airborne mold spore levels. OHI does not offer any recommendations with regard to mold in these spaces. OHI also concludes that the dust accumulating in the ductwork serving the NEAT room is comprised of sands and other inorganics. OHI concludes that the source of the dust should be identified and repaired and that the ductwork should be cleaned if indicated. Specific recommendations are provided in Section RECOMMENDATIONS OHI recommends identifying and eliminating the source of the sandy dust accumulating in the NEAT room ductwork. A visual inspection of the duct should be done to find and evaluate the source of the leak. Upon completion of this evaluation, OHI will offer assistance on the best control methods to be used. It is possible that the duct can be repaired, cleaned and put back into service. If this is not possible, alternative methods for heating the classroom will need to be evaluated. OHI recommends professional cleaning of the NEAT room and the computer equipment stored there. The air handling system servicing this room should not be used until the dust problems have been solved. OHI recommends that the Media Center be evaluated for the presence of dust mite activity. 7.0 LIMITATIONS The contents of this report are based on OccuHealth, Inc. s best professional judgement, comparison of collected data with established industry guidelines, and information obtained from representatives of the Town of Needham.

8 ATTACHMENTS Airborne Mold Spore Analysis Laboratory Report Bulk Surface Sample Analysis Laboratory Report EAA Chain-of-Custody Form

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