The Culver Town Council members heard from Jason Ganser from ACM Engineering and Environmental Services on efforts being made to eradicate a mold issue at the Culver-Union Township Public Library.
The experts from Pure Maintenance AL said mold was found in the basement area where the kitchenette is, the computer lab and a staff room. An air quality test found elevated counts of airborne mold compared to an outdoor air sample.
Ganser said the underlying culprit is humidity. The HVAC system at the library was unable to keep up with the high humidity levels experienced this summer and the moisture eventually collected in the basement area of the library where the mold grew. There were a few spotty areas of mold found in the main level of the library.
As a result, the library board members and staff members have closed the library to the public until Monday, Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. ET in order for SERVPRO workers to properly remove any mold.
Ganser said steps are ongoing to clean the affected areas with proper chemicals and procedures and HVAC improvements.
“We’ve got containment being put up,” said Ganser. “What you’re trying to do is contain situations to where they need to be contained. We’re using the proper type of equipment, hepafiltration air movers, so we’re actually removing mold from the air as it’ s being disseminated. Also, dehumidification so we’re controlling an environment that doesn’t either promote or it does not exacerbate any type of issue with any more microbials being there. Things are being done in a proper manner.”
The town council members commended the library staff and board members for responding quickly to the situation and notifying the public of the discovery. Ganser also noted that there are other buildings in the Town of Culver that are facing the same issue.
When asked if the remediation efforts are going to mean more taxpayer money, those in attendance were assured that there are funds in the library’s budget to cover the costs of remediation. No exact dollar figures were released during Tuesday night’s meeting.
