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December 4, 2018
Palmetto EHS, LLC (Palmetto EHS) is pleased to provide the enclosed report for the referenced
site. The sampling was conducted on November 30, 2018. The report includes an executive
summary, investigative methods, results and conclusions.
This work was performed in general conformance with Palmetto EHS Proposal Number 2018377
dated November 6, 2018. This report is provided for the sole use of Horry County Schools. Use of
this report by any other parties will be at such party's sole risk and Palmetto EHS disclaims liability
for any such use or reliance by third parties. The results presented in this report are indicative of
conditions only during the time of the sampling period and of the specific areas referenced.
We appreciate the opportunity to work with you. If you have any questions concerning this
report, please call us at (803) 462-4404.
Sincerely,
Palmetto EHS, LLC
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Rachel Schlachter, MPH, CSP Colleen Eubanks, CIH, CSP, CET
EHS Specialist President
Table of Contents
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Report :Horry County Schools - St James Middle
Project No. 2018377
December 4, 2018
Executive Summary
Palmetto EHS conducted indoor air quality testing in the Front Office, Conference Room,
Principal’s Office, and Bookkeeper’s Office at St. James Middle School in Myrtle Beach, SC on
November 30, 2018. The testing was conducted indoors and outdoors for comparison.
• We did not observe any visible mold or detect any musty or unusual odors in the Front
Office, Conference Room, Principal’s Office, or the Bookkeeper’s Office on the day of our
visit.
• The results of the environmental parameter testing revealed that carbon dioxide,
temperature, and relative humidity were within normal limits in all four of the areas
visited at the time of our testing.
• One stained ceiling tile was observed in the Front Office on November 30, 2018.
• A small amount of dust buildup was observed on the exhaust vent in the Bookkeeper’s
Office.
• Mold spores were not amplified in the Front Office, Conference Room, Principal’s Office,
or the Bookkeeper’s Office on November 30, 2018.
Recommendations are provided in the “Conclusions and Recommendations” section of this report.
Scope of Work
Palmetto EHS conducted indoor air quality testing in the Front Office, Conference Room,
Principal’s Office, and Bookkeeper’s Office at St. James Middle School in Myrtle Beach, SC on
November 30, 2018. The purpose of the sampling was to determine if airborne mold spores were
elevated above outdoor levels.
Environmental Parameters
Carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature and relative humidity were measured using a TSI IAQ Calc
direct reading instrument to determine the relative comfort parameters of the subject area and to
evaluate conditions that may promote amplification of microorganisms. The American Society
for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has established
guidelines for selected indoor air quality parameters such as temperature, relative humidity (RH)
and carbon dioxide (CO2). These environmental parameters are important determinants for
occupant’s perceptions of thermal comfort, and ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 recommends
ranges for temperature and RH that most occupants (>80%) will find comfortable.
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Report :Horry County Schools - St James Middle
Project No. 2018377
December 4, 2018
Acceptable temperature ranges differ from winter to summer and are a function of RH levels
that range between 30% and 60%. RH below 30% is unacceptable because of the effect of dry
air on the eyes, skin and mucous membranes, and RH above 60% may support the growth of
pathogenic or allergenic microorganisms indoors. The following temperature ranges are
considered acceptable based on the standard:
Summer: 74ºF to 80ºF (for RH = 30%) and 73ºF to 78ºF (for RH = 60%).
Winter: 69ºF to 76ºF (for RH = 30%) and 68ºF to 74ºF (for RH = 60%)
The indoor concentration of CO2 is a surrogate for occupant-generated pollutants that may be
odorous, and is an indicator of the adequacy of the rate of outside air supply per occupant
(dilution ventilation). The higher the indoor concentrations of CO2, the less effective the
ventilation system is in dilution of typical indoor air contaminants and body effluents. ASHRAE
standard 62.1-2010 recommends an indoor to outdoor differential concentration of CO2 to be no
greater than 700 parts per million (ppm) to meet comfort (odor) criteria.
Mold Samples
Total (viable and non-viable) airborne fungal (mold) spores were measured indoors and
outdoors using Zefon Air-O-Cell spore traps with a calibrated vacuum pump. Air sampling was
performed indoors and outdoors for comparison. The samples were immediately shipped for
overnight delivery and analyzed by light microscopy for viable and non-viable mold spores by
Scientific Analytical Institute, which is accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association
(AIHA).
Microbial testing as a part of this report included testing and analysis for some biological agents
commonly present in indoor air. It did not include testing and analysis for all known biological
agents. Testing for biological contaminants does not include viruses or bacteria, unless
specifically noted otherwise, and then only those viruses and bacteria specified.
Visual Assessment
We were asked to collect air samples for mold in the Front Office, Conference Room, Principal’s
Office, and Bookkeeper’s Office at St. James Middle School in Myrtle Beach, SC on November
30, 2018. Ms. Tammy Trulove, Director of Health and Safety Services for Horry County Schools,
advised that water had come into the Front Office and the Principal’s Office from under the floor/
doors/walls during Hurricane Michael. As soon as it was safely possible, the furniture was
moved to a dry location, standing water was removed from the areas, and the carpets were
cleaned. We were also advised that there had been some complaints from faculty/staff
regarding an odor in the Front Office area. On the day of our visit, we did not observe visible
mold or detect any musty or unusual odors in the Front Office, Conference Room, Principal’s
Office, or the Bookkeeper’s Office. One stained ceiling tile was observed in the Front Office and
a small amount of dust build up was observed on the exhaust vent in the Bookkeeper’s Office.
Additionally, Ms. Trulove requested that we observe the staining on the tile floors in the B
Hallway of St. James Middle School. The staining present is similar to the staining that Palmetto
EHS has observed on other tile floors. See the Conclusions and Recommendations section
below for more information regarding the staining.
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Report :Horry County Schools - St James Middle
Project No. 2018377
December 4, 2018
Environmental Parameters
A summary of the environmental parameters tested (temperature, relative humidity, and carbon
dioxide) are provided in Table I. The results of the environmental parameter testing revealed
that carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity were within normal limits in each of the
areas we visited.
Outdoors 440 44 57
Mold Samples
We are unaware of regulatory requirements pertaining to mold associated with indoor air quality
at this time. However, there are recognized guidelines for mold remediation from the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and New York City Department of Health Bureau of
Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology. Additionally, indoor air quality guidelines
have been suggested for remedial decision-making by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), and the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist
(ACGIH). Some of these guidelines focus on indoor to outdoor comparison, and an evaluation
of fungal types. The interpretation of the results normally relies upon the professional
conducting the assessment.
Air sampling was performed indoors and outdoors for comparison. Total fungal spore (non-
viable and viable fungi) concentrations were monitored. Summary results of the air samples are
provided in Table II and actual laboratory results are provided in the Appendix.
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Report :Horry County Schools - St James Middle
Project No. 2018377
December 4, 2018
Ascospores (3210)
M-M-1 Outdoors 6030 Basidiospores (2190)
Cladosporium (627)
Ascospores (3760)
Basidiospores (1650)
M-M-2 Outdoors 5880
Cladosporium (392)
Myxomycete/Rust/Smut-like (78)
Ascospores (157)
M-M-5 Principal’s Office 235
Basidiospores (78)
Myxomycete/Rust/Smut-like (78)
M-M-6 Bookkeeper’s Office 156
Cladosporium (78)
Abbreviations: c/m3 = total mold spore counts per cubic meter, ND= None Detected
The total mold spore counts in the Front Office, Conference Room, Principal’s Office, and Book
Keeper’s Office were well below outdoor levels, and mold types detected were similar to those
found outdoors.Therefore, mold spores were not considered amplified in Front Office,
Conference Room, Principal’s Office, or Book Keeper’s Office on the day of our visit.
• We did not observe any visible mold or detect any musty or unusual odors in the Front
Office, Conference Room, Principal’s Office, or the Bookkeeper’s Office on the day of our
visit.
• The results of the environmental parameter testing revealed that carbon dioxide,
temperature, and relative humidity were within normal limits in all four of the areas
visited at the time of our testing.
• One stained ceiling tile was observed in the Front Office on November 30, 2018.
• A small amount of dust buildup was observed on the exhaust vent in the Bookkeeper’s
Office.
• Mold spores were not amplified in the Front Office, Conference Room, Principal’s Office,
or the Bookkeeper’s Office on November 30, 2018.
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Report :Horry County Schools - St James Middle
Project No. 2018377
December 4, 2018
Palmetto EHS contacted Armstrong Floors Customer Support Services for Commercial
Flooring for an opinion on a similar floor staining problem in June of 2014. Armstrong
Floors provided the following information to Palmetto EHS:
• One cause of moisture related floor staining happens during floor cleaning. Since the floor
tiles are porous, water can sink into the tiles when they are cleaned. If they are not
completely rinsed, small amounts of dirty water or slurry from the when the floors were last
stripped can be stored in the pores of the tiles. The tiles will probably appear clean. Later,
water from the concrete subfloor can push up through the floor tiles bringing with it any
contaminants (dirt, slurry, old stains, etc.), which become trapped beneath the wax layer.
This wax layer also traps moisture and creates a barrier so that the staining is not easily
cleaned without stripping the floors again.
• Wet subfloors can also cause another kind of staining called “bottom-up staining”. This
happens when stains seep into the concrete subfloor and are pushed out later by moisture in
the concrete. Since the tiles are porous, the stain will travel all the way up to just below the
wax layer, where it is trapped. This type of staining can come from virtually anything that can
be spilled on a vinyl floor and penetrate the tile (such as drinks, ink, etc.). This type of
staining can also be caused by stains in the concrete from products used to remove old
flooring (such as asbestos floor tile and mastic removal products).
Based on our visual assessment, research, and information provided from Armstrong Floor
Care Specialists, Palmetto EHS concludes that the staining is not mold but is caused by
the wet concrete subfloor. Since the floor tiles are porous, water can sink into the tiles
when they are cleaned. If they are not completely rinsed, small amounts of dirty water or
slurry from the when the floors were last stripped can be stored in the pores of the tiles.
Later, water from the concrete subfloor can push up through the floor tiles bringing with it
any contaminants (dirt, slurry, old stains, etc.), which become trapped beneath the wax
layer. This wax layer also traps moisture and creates a barrier so that the staining is not
easily cleaned without stripping the floors again.
The following recommendations are provided for the B Hallway where the floor tiles are stained:
1. Use a heavier Use a heavier cleaning pad to remove dirt, and rinse the tiles.
2. Allow the tiles to thoroughly dry prior to applying wax.
3. Sealing of the concrete subfloor can prevent “bottom-up” staining” and would likely help moisture
from coming back up through the concrete.
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Report :Horry County Schools - St James Middle
Project No. 2018377
December 4, 2018
Appendix I
Analytical Results
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Direct Exam: Spore Trap Analysis
SAI Method B-SOP-003
Client: Palmetto EHS Attn: Colleen Eubanks Lab Order ID: 51831553
100 Old Cherokee Rd
Analysis ID: 51831553_STA
Lexington, SC 29072
Date Received: 12/03/2018
Project: St. James Middle School IAQ Date Reported: 12/03/2018
Disclaimer: This report relates only to the samples tested and may not be reproduced, except in full, without the written approval of SAI. Unless otherwise noted blank sample correction was not performed on analytical results. Scientific Analytical Institute participates in the
AIHA EMPAT program for fungi. EMPAT Laboratory ID: 173190. Reporting Limit equals Analytical Sensitivity.
Disclaimer: This report relates only to the samples tested and may not be reproduced, except in full, without the written approval of SAI. Unless otherwise noted blank sample correction was not performed on analytical results. Scientific Analytical Institute participates in the
AIHA EMPAT program for fungi. EMPAT Laboratory ID: 173190. Reporting Limit equals Analytical Sensitivity.