Mold & Microbial Growth Concerns

If you suspect mold in your room or office, or if your space feels excessively humid:

1. 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.
2. A trained STO staff member or 3rd-party vendor will respond within 1 business day to conduct a visual inspection of the room.
3. If mold is found then:
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
4. If mold is not found but there is still a concern about high humidity:
   1. 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.
   2. If humidity issues are not found then Facilities Management and EHS will meet with you to help alleviate your concerns.

The College considers reports of mold a health and safety issue and takes seriously all reports of suspected mold.

1. 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.
2. Seek medical consultation.
   1. Resident Hall students should contact Student Health Services at St. Olaf College.
   2. College employees should contact the college’s Human Resources Coordinator so that proper Worker’s Compensation documentation can begin.

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”).

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

1. 1. Keep your room clean; do not allow dirty/sweaty/damp clothing to pile up for extended periods of time.
   2. Never allow water to sit on soft surfaces (carpets, towels, sheets, etc.) for long periods of time.
   3. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings (e.g., carpets and couches) within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
   4. If a bath exhaust fan is provided in your living space, be sure to turn the fan on when showering.  After showering allow the bathroom to fully ventilate before during off the exhaust fan.
   5. If you are responsible for your bathroom then clean this space regularly, including your shower liner.
   6. While air conditioning is operating do not open exterior windows or prop open exterior doors because this will allow humid air to enter and can lead to indoor condensation that may contribute to mold growth.
   7. If you have an adjustable thermostat, during the summer months never set the thermostat below 72 degrees; during winter months never set the thermostat above 68 degrees.  Settings outside of these temperature ranges can result in excessively humid air that can contribute to mold growth.
   8. 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.).

This page is for Custodial and Maintenance Staff.