Fans used in areas of Student Union | Photo by Sarah Cavender | The Wright State Guardian
On Thursday morning a communication email was sent out to the campus community concerning a malfunction in their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
“Repairs are likely to impact space availability and/or room climates in multiple areas of the Student Union," according to the communication e-mail.
INCLUDING:
- Discovery Room
- Men's and women's reserve locker rooms
- Racquetball courts
- Billiard
- Ping-pong gaming area
- Climbing wall
- Exercise studios
- Personal assistance station
According to Marjorie M. Markopoulos, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, The health and safety of the Wright State campus is a top priority.
“As soon as the potential for the presence of mold was determined to be a possibility, our resources were deployed and began to conduct an evaluation to determine the immediate impact for the university.”
It is currently too early to provide an accurate assessment of the extent of the damage.
“Right now it is too early to provide an accurate assessment of the scope and extent of the damage as this incident is in the early stages. Additional evaluations are underway.” said Markopoulos.
“It is important to note that the air test samples taken at the Student Union showed very low mold levels when compared to the outside mold levels. These levels were reviewed and assessed by an external indoor environmental professional to assure the safety of our community.” said Markopoulos.
Accoridng to APA and CDC some people can be sensitive to mold, which could cause health problems.
If an employee or student starts to experience lung - related medical problems, they are encouraged to consult a health care provider in a timely manner.
An investigation was launched after several members of the Wright State University’s staff noticed a moldy smell.
According to the email, surface samples showed elevated mold accounts, and air samples showed relatively low amounts of mold.
The handler has now been turned off due to cautionary measures. Portable air conditioners or dehumidifiers are being placed in areas around the Student Union in order to temporarily adjust the air quality and temperature.
The malfunction of the HVAC unit will cause several implications to Wright State Students.
Students visiting the student union can expect to experience limitations in accessibility in the Student Union and uncomfortable climate changes.
This is a breaking story and The Wright State Guardian is working to gather more information. We will continue to update this story.
