{"id":472,"date":"2017-10-18T23:26:03","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T04:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/?page_id=472"},"modified":"2023-11-29T11:35:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T17:35:24","slug":"mold-microbial-growth-concerns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/mold-microbial-growth-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"Mold &#038; Microbial Growth Concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p>Mold spores are found in virtually every environment, both indoors and outdoors, year round.\u00a0 When live mold spores encounter sufficient amounts of moisture mold can increase quickly in abundance and colonies can spread.\u00a0 Even in \u201cclean\u201d rooms and offices mold can grow where humidity levels are relatively high or moisture is persistent (including winter months when buildings are usually \u201csealed up\u201d).<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.state.mn.us\/communities\/environment\/air\/docs\/schools\/remediation.pdf\">Recommended Best Practices for Mold Remediation in Minnesota Schools<\/a>\u201d and the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/mold\/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings-guide-chapter-1\">Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf You Notice any Water Intrusions (leaks, drips, overflows, etc.) \t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Take action immediately!<\/strong>\u00a0 A leaking pipe or other uncontained water leak (i.e., the drip isn&#8217;t simply going down the drain) can quickly result in considerable property damage!\u00a0 We want to fix these issues as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Students: Immediately<\/strong> c<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ontact a Residence Life staff member in your respective residence hall.<br \/>\n<strong>Employees:\u00a0 Immediately<\/strong> contact Facilities at -3280.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>After making contact with Res Life\/Facilities, fill out an online <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/facilities\/work-order-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facilities Work Order Request<\/a> <\/strong>to ensure that the issue is documented and a work order is opened.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you call with an uncontained water leak (even during evening hours) then Facilities will respond promptly to fix the issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf You Suspect Mold or High Humidity in Your Room or Office\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Students: <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact a Residence Life staff member in your respective residence hall.<br \/>\n<strong>Employees:\u00a0 <\/strong>Contact Facilities at -3280.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>After making contact with Res Life\/Facilities, fill out an online <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/facilities\/work-order-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facilities Work Order Request<\/a> <\/strong>to have your room inspected for mold.\u00a0 It is important to take this step to ensure that the issue is documented and a work order is opened.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>A trained STO staff member or 3rd-party vendor will respond within 1 business day to conduct a visual inspection of the room.<\/li>\n<li><strong>If elevated levels of mold are found then:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Trained personnel will treat the mold<\/strong> with products designed to inhibit further growth and kill mold spores.\u00a0 In most cases, this protocol eliminates mold in 1-2 visits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>STO staff will work with you<\/strong> to determine the cause of the mold\/humidity to ensure that the problem does not reoccur.\u00a0 Perhaps the cause is an HVAC\/plumbing issue that needs to be fixed, but perhaps the cause is a pile of consistently damp clothing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>If mold is not found but there is still a concern about high humidity:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>If humidity issues are found<\/strong> then Facilities Management and EHS will take the appropriate steps (including air quality tests if necessary) to rectify the situation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf You Suspect Your Health Issues are being Caused by Mold\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol>\n<li><strong>Immediately fill out an online <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/facilities\/work-order-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facilities Work Order Request<\/a><\/strong> to have your room inspected for mold. \u00a0 It is important to take this step to ensure that the issue is documented and a work order is opened.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Seek medical consultation.<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Resident Hall students<\/strong> should contact <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Student Health Services<\/a> at St. Olaf College.<\/li>\n<li><strong>College employees<\/strong> should contact the college&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/hr\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Human Resources Coordinator<\/a> so that proper documentation can begin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to Prevent Mold &amp; Mildew in Your Room\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>The best way to control\/eliminate indoor mold &amp; mildew is to control excessive moisture &amp; humidity:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep your room clean; do not allow dirty\/sweaty\/damp clothing to pile up for extended periods of time.<\/li>\n<li>Never allow water to sit on soft surfaces (carpets, towels, sheets, etc.) for long periods of time.<\/li>\n<li>Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings (e.g., carpets and couches) within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.<\/li>\n<li>If a bath exhaust fan is provided in your living space, be sure to turn the fan on when showering (please recognize that hot &#8220;steaming&#8221; showers create excessive amounts of moisture).\u00a0 After showering, allow the bathroom to fully ventilate before turning off the exhaust fan.<\/li>\n<li>If you are responsible for your bathroom then clean this space regularly, including your shower liner.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Do not block the HVAC air supply or return air vents. \u00a0Reduced air flow to the HVAC system can result in excess moisture and promote substance growth within the HVAC system and within rooms.<\/li>\n<li>If you see mold\/mildew or suspect any water problems\u00a0then immediately submit an online <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/facilities\/work-order-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facilities Work Order Request<\/a> 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.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMold Cleanup Guidelines\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69d819663f691-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69d819663f691-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-Mold-Cleanup-Guidelines-FINAL-2023-Mar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mold Cleanup Guidelines<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-Mold-Flowchart-and-Instructions-FINAL-2023-Mar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mold Flowcharts &amp; Instructions: After Water Damage \/ If Mold is Found<\/a><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p><!-- end-migrated-from-panel-builder --><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-472","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/156"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=472"}],"version-history":[{"count":70,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1912,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472\/revisions\/1912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}