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Palmetto EHS, LLC (Palmetto EHS) is pleased to provide the enclosed report for the referenced
site. The sampling was conducted on March 8, 2019. The report includes an executive
summary, investigative methods, results and conclusions.
This work was performed in general conformance with Palmetto EHS Proposal Number 2019074
Rev. 1 dated March 5, 2019. This report is provided for the sole use of Horry County Schools. Use
of this report by any other parties will be at such party's sole risk and Palmetto EHS disclaims
liability for any such use or reliance by third parties. The results presented in this report are
indicative of conditions only during the time of the sampling period and of the specific areas
referenced.
We appreciate the opportunity to work with you. If you have any questions concerning this
report, please call us at (803) 462-4404.
Sincerely,
Palmetto EHS, LLC
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Gary Eubanks Colleen Eubanks, CIH, CSP, CET
Vice President President
Table of Contents
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Report :Horry County Schools (St. James Elementary)
Project No. 2019074(A)
March 14, 2019
Executive Summary
Palmetto EHS conducted follow-up indoor air quality testing in Room E100 at St. James
Elementary School in Myrtle Beach, SC on March 8, 2019. The testing was conducted indoors and
outdoors for comparison.
• We did not detect musty odors or observe any mold in Room E100 at St. James
Elementary School on the day of our visit.
• The results of the environmental parameter testing revealed that carbon dioxide and
relative humidity was within normal limits in Room E100 on March 8, 2019. Temperature
was above normal limits in Room E100 but that was due to the HVAC registers having
been cleaned and sealed off by the mold remediation company prior to our arrival.
• Mold spores were not amplified in Room E100 on March 8, 2019. No further action is
needed in this room.
Recommendations are provided in the “Conclusions and Recommendations” section of this report.
Scope of Work
Palmetto EHS conducted follow up indoor air quality testing following mold remediation in Room
E100 at St. James Elementary School in Myrtle Beach, SC on March 8, 2019. The purpose of the
sampling was to determine if airborne mold spores were elevated above outdoor levels.
Environmental Parameters
Carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature and relative humidity were measured using a TSI IAQ Calc
direct reading instrument to determine the relative comfort parameters of the subject area and to
evaluate conditions that may promote amplification of microorganisms. The American Society
for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has established
guidelines for selected indoor air quality parameters such as temperature, relative humidity (RH)
and carbon dioxide (CO2). These environmental parameters are important determinants for
occupant’s perceptions of thermal comfort, and ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 recommends
ranges for temperature and RH that most occupants (>80%) will find comfortable.
Acceptable temperature ranges differ from winter to summer and are a function of RH levels
that range between 30% and 60%. RH below 30% is unacceptable because of the effect of dry
air on the eyes, skin and mucous membranes, and RH above 60% may support the growth of
pathogenic or allergenic microorganisms indoors. The following temperature ranges are
considered acceptable based on the standard:
Summer: 74ºF to 80ºF (for RH = 30%) and 73ºF to 78ºF (for RH = 60%).
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Report :Horry County Schools (St. James Elementary)
Project No. 2019074(A)
March 14, 2019
Winter: 69ºF to 76ºF (for RH = 30%) and 68ºF to 74ºF (for RH = 60%)
The indoor concentration of CO2 is a surrogate for occupant-generated pollutants that may be
odorous, and is an indicator of the adequacy of the rate of outside air supply per occupant
(dilution ventilation). The higher the indoor concentrations of CO2, the less effective the
ventilation system is in dilution of typical indoor air contaminants and body effluents. ASHRAE
standard 62.1-2010 recommends an indoor to outdoor differential concentration of CO2 to be no
greater than 700 parts per million (ppm) to meet comfort (odor) criteria.
Mold Samples
Total (viable and non-viable) airborne fungal (mold) spores were measured indoors and
outdoors using Zefon Air-O-Cell spore traps with a calibrated vacuum pump. Air sampling was
performed indoors and outdoors for comparison. The samples were immediately shipped for
overnight delivery and analyzed by light microscopy for viable and non-viable mold spores by
Scientific Analytical Institute, which is accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association
(AIHA).
Microbial testing as a part of this report included testing and analysis for some biological agents
commonly present in indoor air. It did not include testing and analysis for all known biological
agents. Testing for biological contaminants does not include viruses or bacteria, unless
specifically noted otherwise, and then only those viruses and bacteria specified.
Visual Assessment
We were asked to collect follow-up air samples for mold in Room E100 following mold
remediation performed by Servpro at St. James Elementary School in Myrtle Beach, SC on
March 8, 2019. The remediation was conducted on March 2, 2019. We did not observe any
mold or detect any musty odors in Room E100 at the time of our visit.
Environmental Parameters
A summary of the environmental parameters tested (temperature, relative humidity, and carbon
dioxide) are provided in Table I. The results of the environmental parameter testing revealed
that carbon dioxide and relative humidity was within normal limits in Room E100 on March 8,
2019. Temperature was above normal limits in Room E100 at the time of our visit but that was
due to the HVAC registers having been cleaned and sealed off by the mold remediation
company prior to our arrival.
Outdoors 402 36 68
E100 1100 30 80
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Report :Horry County Schools (St. James Elementary)
Project No. 2019074(A)
March 14, 2019
Mold Samples
We are unaware of regulatory requirements pertaining to mold associated with indoor air quality
at this time. However, there are recognized guidelines for mold remediation from the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and New York City Department of Health Bureau of
Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology. Additionally, indoor air quality guidelines
have been suggested for remedial decision-making by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), and the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist
(ACGIH). Some of these guidelines focus on indoor to outdoor comparison, and an evaluation
of fungal types. The interpretation of the results normally relies upon the professional
conducting the assessment.
Air sampling was performed indoors and outdoors for comparison. Total fungal spore (non-
viable and viable fungi) concentrations were monitored. Summary results of the air samples are
provided in Table II and actual laboratory results are provided in the Appendix.
Ascospores (1250)
M-1 Outdoors 2120 Basidiospores (392)
Cladosporium (470)
Ascospores (1490)
M-2 Outdoors 2270 Basidiospores (627)
Cladosporium (157)
Abbreviations: c/m3 = total mold spore counts per cubic meter, ND= None Detected
The total mold spore counts in Room E100 were below outdoor levels, and mold types detected
were similar to those found outdoors. Therefore, mold spores were not considered amplified in
Room E100 at the time of our visit on March 8, 2019.
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Report :Horry County Schools (St. James Elementary)
Project No. 2019074(A)
March 14, 2019
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Report :Horry County Schools (St. James Elementary)
Project No. 2019074(A)
March 14, 2019
Appendix I
Analytical Results
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SAI Method B-SOP-003
Client: Palmetto EHS Attn: Colleen Eubanks Lab Order ID: 71906600
100 Old Cherokee Rd
Analysis ID: 71906600_STA
Lexington, SC 29072
Date Received: 03/12/2019
Project: St. James Elem. - 2019074 Date Reported: 03/12/2019
Date Amended: 03/12/2019
Sample ID M-1 M-2 M-3 EXTERIOR
Lab Sample ID 71906600_STA_001 71906600_STA_002 71906600_STA_003 AVERAGE
Description Outdoors Outdoors E-100 N/A
Lab Notes N/A
Volume(L) 75 75 75 N/A
Analytical Sensitivity N/A
78 78 78
(counts/m³)
Raw Concentration % Of Raw Concentration % Of Raw Concentration % Of Raw Concentration % Of
IDENTIFICATION
Count (counts/m³) Total Count (counts/m³) Total Count (counts/m³) Total Count (counts/m³) Total
Ascospores 16 1250 59.3% 19 1490 65.5% 2 157 100.% 18 1370 64.3%
Basidiospores 5 392 18.5% 8 627 27.6% 6 510. 21.4%
Cladosporium 6 470. 22.2% 2 157 6.90% 4 314 14.3%
Disclaimer: This report relates only to the samples tested and may not be reproduced, except in full, without the written approval of SAI. Unless otherwise noted blank sample correction was not performed on analytical results. Scientific Analytical Institute participates in the
AIHA EMPAT program for fungi. EMPAT Laboratory ID: 173190. Reporting Limit equals Analytical Sensitivity.