Report

of:

Indoor Air Quality Testing

Horry County Schools
Conway, SC

Palme5o EHS Report No: 2019074(A)

Submi5ed March 14, 2019

Prepared for:

Horry County Schools

Prepared By:

Palme5o EHS, LLC

100 Old Cherokee Rd.
Suite F, Box 163
Lexington, SC 29072
803-462-4404 (Phone)
803-462-4408 (Fax)
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Safety • Industrial Hygiene • OSHA Compliance • Training

March 14, 2019

Horry County Schools

335 Four Mile Rd.
Conway, SC 29528

Attention: Ms. Tammy Trulove

Reference: REPORT OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY TESTING

Palmetto EHS Report No. 2019074(A)

Dear Ms. Trulove:

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

! !
Gary Eubanks Colleen Eubanks, CIH, CSP, CET
Vice President President



Palmetto EHS, LLC | 100 Old Cherokee Rd. Ste. F #163


Lexington, SC 29072

803.462.4404 (Phone)

803.462.4408 (Fax)
Report :Horry County Schools (St. James Elementary)
Project No. 2019074(A)
March 14, 2019

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................4

Scope of Work ..................................................................................................................4
Materials and Methods..................................................................................................... 4
Environmental Parameters ............................................................................................ 4
Mold Samples ...............................................................................................................5
Results and Discussion ..................................................................................................... 5
Visual Assessment .........................................................................................................5
Environmental Parameters ............................................................................................ 5
Mold Samples ...............................................................................................................6
Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................................ 7
Appendix I ........................................................................................................................8

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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 identified the following conditions during our visit:

• 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.

We conducted a walk-through visual assessment, environmental parameter testing, and air

sampling for mold spores during our visit.

Materials and Methods

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.

Results and Discussion

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.

Table I: Environmental Parameter Results – March 8, 2019

Carbon Dioxide Relative Humidity Temperature

Location
(ppm) (Percent) (Degrees F)

Outdoors 402 36 68

Criteria < 1102 30% to 60% 68-76 degrees F

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.

Airborne microorganisms are ubiquitous; the presence of microorganisms is of undue concern

unless they are of a significant concentration or the predominant types found indoors differ from
those found outdoors. When indoor levels are significantly elevated in relation to outdoor
concentrations, they are considered to be amplified. Therefore, indoor environmental conditions
are such that their growth is facilitated. In general, amplification of microorganisms is present
when the fungi or bacteria concentration in the air substantially exceeds the outdoor air.

Exposure to excessive amounts of some common microorganisms can result in allergic or

respiratory irritation in some susceptible individuals.

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.

Table II: Mold Air Sampling Results – March 8, 2019

Sample Number Location Mold (c/m3) Predominant Types

Ascospores (1250)
M-1 Outdoors 2120 Basidiospores (392)
Cladosporium (470)

Ascospores (1490)
M-2 Outdoors 2270 Basidiospores (627)
Cladosporium (157)

M-3 E100 157 Ascospores (157)

Amplification: Indoor levels substantially exceed outdoor levels.

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

Conclusions and Recommendations

The results of the visual assessment and testing indicate the following:
1. We did not detect musty odors or observe any mold in Room E100 at St. James Elementary
School on the day of our visit.
2. 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.
3. Mold spores were not amplified in Room E100 on March 8, 2019. No further action is needed
in this room.

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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%

TOTAL 27 2120 100.% 29 2270 100.% 2 157 100.% 28 2200 100.%

Non-Cellulosic Fibers - - - - - - 2 157 - - - -
Hyphal Fragments - - - - - - - - - - - -
Insect Parts - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pollen 1 78.0 - - - - - - - 0 39.0 -
Skin Cell % of Total Debris 0-20% 0-20% 80-100% N/A
Total Debris in Background 0-20% 0-20% 20-40% N/A

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.

Palmer Hines (3)

B-F-028 r15 1/16/2021 Analyst Approved Signatory

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