Mold Contamination Concerns at Libraries across Puerto Rico

Recently, the News-Gazette reported that the collections care coordinator from the University of Illinois had arrived in Puerto Rico. The expert was sent to help the library staff at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguz Campus deal with damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
 
The library at the Mayaguez Campus suffered roof damage that resulted in water entering the building, but it did not make contact with the library’s collection of books and manuscripts. However, many of these printed materials did end up with mold growing on them due to the weeks the library had no electricity to run the air conditioners.
 
Similar stories describe the situation at libraries across the islands. Libraries with their books and manuscripts made of paper must be especially vigilant of indoor air quality (IAQ) issues to protect these collections. One of the most important components of indoor air quality in library environments is the humidity level.  Humidity can quickly increase if there has been water damage, if a library’s HVAC system has not been properly programed or if it is not working correctly as was the case across Puerto Rico for weeks and months in areas with no electricity.
 
“It doesn’t take long for mold to begin to grow on products made of paper when they are housed in warm and humid conditions,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Identifying mold on library items is important for two reason. First, these items need to be identified, cleaned and saved when possible. Second, exposure to elevated levels of mold for librarians or anyone visiting a library can lead to health issues ranging from allergies and asthma to potentially serious fungal infections for some people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.”
 
To help identify and mitigate moldy environments, Puerto Rico’s Zimmetry Environmental has been busy testing and assessing libraries, businesses, homes, schools and other institutions to help residents create healthy indoor spaces.
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their building science, indoor environmental quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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