Mold & Microbial Growth Concerns

EHS
Occupational Safety & Health
Occupational Health
Mold & Microbial Growth Concerns

Mold spores are found in virtually every environment, both indoors and outdoors, year round. When live mold spores encounter sufficient amounts of moisture mold can increase quickly in abundance and colonies can spread. Even in “clean” rooms and offices mold can grow where humidity levels are relatively high or moisture is persistent (including winter months when buildings are usually “sealed up”).

St. Olaf College considers reports of mold to be a health and safety issue, and takes a proactive approach to reduce and eliminate mold growth on campus by following the guidelines found in the MDH’s “Recommended Best Practices for Mold Remediation in Minnesota Schools” and the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide.”

Take action immediately! A leaking pipe or other uncontained water leak (i.e., the drip isn’t simply going down the drain) can quickly result in considerable property damage! We want to fix these issues as soon as possible.

Students: Immediately contact a Residence Life staff member in your respective residence hall.
Employees: Immediately contact Facilities at -3280.

After making contact with Res Life/Facilities, fill out an online Facilities Work Order Request to ensure that the issue is documented and a work order is opened.

If you call with an uncontained water leak (even during evening hours) then Facilities will respond promptly to fix the issue.

Students: Contact a Residence Life staff member in your respective residence hall.
Employees: Contact Facilities at -3280.

After making contact with Res Life/Facilities, fill out an online Facilities Work Order Request to have your room inspected for mold. It is important to take this step to ensure that the issue is documented and a work order is opened.

A trained STO staff member or 3rd-party vendor will respond within 1 business day to conduct a visual inspection of the room.
If elevated levels of mold are found then:
- Trained personnel will treat the mold with products designed to inhibit further growth and kill mold spores. In most cases, this protocol eliminates mold in 1-2 visits.
- STO staff will work with you to determine the cause of the mold/humidity to ensure that the problem does not reoccur. Perhaps the cause is an HVAC/plumbing issue that needs to be fixed, but perhaps the cause is a pile of consistently damp clothing.
If mold is not found but there is still a concern about high humidity:
- If humidity issues are found then Facilities Management and EHS will take the appropriate steps (including air quality tests if necessary) to rectify the situation.

Immediately fill out an online Facilities Work Order Request to have your room inspected for mold. It is important to take this step to ensure that the issue is documented and a work order is opened.
Seek medical consultation.
- Resident Hall students should contact Student Health Services at St. Olaf College.
- College employees should contact the college’s Human Resources Coordinator so that proper documentation can begin.

The best way to control/eliminate indoor mold & mildew is to control excessive moisture & humidity:

Keep your room clean; do not allow dirty/sweaty/damp clothing to pile up for extended periods of time.
Never allow water to sit on soft surfaces (carpets, towels, sheets, etc.) for long periods of time.
Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings (e.g., carpets and couches) within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
If a bath exhaust fan is provided in your living space, be sure to turn the fan on when showering (please recognize that hot “steaming” showers create excessive amounts of moisture). After showering, allow the bathroom to fully ventilate before turning off the exhaust fan.
If you are responsible for your bathroom then clean this space regularly, including your shower liner.
While air conditioning is operating do not open exterior windows or prop open exterior doors because this will allow humid air to enter the room, which can lead to indoor condensation that may contribute to mold growth.
Do not block the HVAC air supply or return air vents. Reduced air flow to the HVAC system can result in excess moisture and promote substance growth within the HVAC system and within rooms.
If you see mold/mildew or suspect any water problems then immediately submit an online Facilities Work Order Request to have your room inspected for mold (suspected problems could include leaks behind a toilet or under sinks, dripping faucets, wet carpet, leaks from a ceiling or wall, moisture under floor tiles, drips heard behind walls or inside HVAC equipment, excessively humid air, inadequate room ventilation, etc.).