Hempfield Area High School’s air quality is safe despite visible water leaks and ceiling damage, according to Superintendent Mark Holtzman, who cited a third-party assessment conducted four months ago.
While photos and videos of water-stained tiles and collection buckets have circulated on social media, Holtzman said a report finalized in September by Harmar-based Skelly and Loy detected no mold or air quality concerns.
The school board voted in August to pay the environmental consulting and engineering firm $13,000 for its services.
“Because of the nature of the time of year, with the freeze and thaw … there (are) some issues,” Holtzman said. “The roof needs to be replaced.”
The district plans to replace the entire roof when it breaks ground on its long-awaited high school renovation in June. Some sections, including above the auditorium and auxiliary gym, have been replaced in recent years because of the leaks.
Holtzman noted there is not a set schedule for when the district tests the air quality in its buildings.
“It’s only recommended when necessary or when an issue is identified by our buildings and grounds department,” he said.
The high school’s most recent air quality test was conducted Sept. 8, according to a report filed in the building’s main office Sept. 24.
That report noted the H-wing corridor, old gym lobby and west end of the high school’s cafeteria were examined via visual observations, moisture measurement in building materials and air samples.
During that inspection, water-stained and missing ceiling tiles were noticed in all three areas. Plastic sheeting was hung underneath any missing tiles, and drain tubes were installed to direct leaking water into buckets.
Despite those conditions, the report stated no surface mold was found and no elevated moisture content was detected.
Air samples revealed the total indoor mold spore concentrations were lower than that of the air outdoors. The report recommended inlaid ceiling tiles and pipe insulation with water staining be removed and replaced, delaminated paint be removed and cleaned with a mold disinfectant and any materials dampened by leaks be dried within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
The findings also suggested indoor relative humidity levels should be below 60% to help prevent air quality issues.
While two of the measured areas fell below that percentage, the third was measured slightly above that rate at 62.9%.
Holtzman maintained leaking roofs are a common issue among school buildings.
“I’ve never seen a report come back with concerning air quality levels in the many districts and buildings I’ve worked in over the past 20 years,” Holtzman said.
