By Howard Greninger
TERRE HAUTE — A second air and surface sampling for mold has been made at the Vigo County jail with results similar to a test conducted in June, showing a very low concentration of airborne mold spores.
Yet tests results also confirmed the presence of mold and a need to stop water from seeping into the county’s security center.
CIH Services of Indianapolis took air and surface samples this month. While indoor air samples indicate “very low mold spore concentrations,” the company did report finding and sampling a small dark spot, about the size of a softball, on a ceiling in “O Pod,” one of four cell areas of the jail.
That surface sample showed a high concentration of Styachbotrys, a greenish-black, slimy mold that can release toxic chemicals known as mycotoxins.
CIH Services recommends identifying how water is getting into the jail area, removing all damaged ceiling drywall and insulation, and cleaning all surfaces after drywall is removed. The company then would make a post-remediation evaluation.
Vigo County Commissioner Michael Ciolli said the second test was done to cover all four cell areas of the jail. Micro Air Inc. of Indianapolis in June conducted airborne and surface mold tests only in “O Pod,” an area where traces of mold were visible. That test confirmed the presence of mold but stated the indoor air quality was not affected.
Ciolli said it appears roof leaks are concentrated around a recreational room at the jail.
“We do need to repair the roof as there are signs of mold. I have two estimates to put a new roof on the recreation room [in the jail] and have submitted those to the [Vigo County] Council,” Ciolli said.
The roof repair estimates are $69,310 and $75,133. The repair would include the construction of a gable-style roof over an existing flat roof section with an overhang and gutters.
Ciolli said roof repairs were made last week around skylights, another area suspected of leaking, along with repairs on small tears on the roof. Also, caulking was placed along some steel roof beams in an effort to keep water out.
However, Ciolli said those efforts will not work if the roof for the jail’s recreation area is not repaired.
Sheriff Jon Marvel last week said roof leaks have been a concern since converting an attached former county office building in 2001 into an expanded jail/security center.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
