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District says Penfield modular classroom mold was remediated; third‑party air testing found no indoor growth
Summary
District staff described a July finding of surface microbial growth in Penfield modular classrooms, immediate remediation, and third‑party air sampling that showed indoor spore counts at or below outdoor levels and nonviable hyphae.
North Penn School District officials told the Aug. 25 Facilities & Operations Committee that they discovered microbial surface growth on carpets in some Penfield Middle School modular classrooms during July, remediated the areas the same day and then completed third‑party air testing that showed no ongoing indoor fungal growth.
District staff said they removed and cleaned affected surfaces immediately, performed subfloor moisture testing, installed temporary dehumidifiers and fans, and completed HVAC checks. The district reported that it also instituted daily visual inspections and periodic electrostatic spraying of modulars during the summer. Staff said the remediation steps were performed before the start of school and parents and staff received a letter outlining the actions taken.
Criterion Laboratory, an independent third‑party firm the district engaged, reviewed the district's sampling and procedures and provided a letter agreeing that the methods and results were satisfactory. District staff said the laboratory's air samples showed lower indoor spore counts than outdoors, identified the same outdoor spore types indoors and reported a lack of hydrophilic (water‑loving) fungi in indoor samples. Staff said laboratory review found hyphae present were nonviable (not growing).
Board members asked whether the district had previously used third‑party reviews for modular issues; staff said Criterion had assisted on prior modular roof incidents and that the process used at Penfield was consistent with past practice. Staff said the findings indicated the condition was likely caused by extended high humidity rather than a roof leak.
The district posted its remediation letter and promised to add the third‑party laboratory report to the meeting materials and the agenda item for public record.
No formal action was required by the committee; staff said they would continue routine monitoring of modular classrooms.
