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Various types of molds have been discovered at Thalia Mara Hall, according to a copy of an “Indoor Air Quality Assessment” report.
On Aug. 1, Thalia Mara Hall unexpectedly shut down after “microbial activity” was found. Officials in the City of Jackson stopped short of calling it mold. The “microbial activity was found following a recent malfunction with the HVAC controller,” according to an Aug. 1 press release sent out by the city.
But the report shows that three molds have been found after an industrial hygienist from CTEH – Environmental and Scientific Consulting Services was brought in by the City of Jackson to conduct indoor air quality testing at the venue. The tests were done on Aug. 9 and CTEH prepared the report on Aug. 14.
The three molds include aspergillus, penicillium and cladosporium.
The report states the mold growth is “indicative of a catastrophic loss of HVAC functionalities leading to atmospheric disruption.” Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba previously stated that a thunderstorm at the end of July caused the venue’s HVAC to stop working. The lack of air conditioning and the resulting humidity in the venue caused a perfect environment for mold growth.
Here is a list of observations from the industrial hygienist, according to the report:
- Visible dirt, debris, and suspected mold growth was observed on many surfaces.
- Overt and established fungal biofilms were present throughout the carpet in the auditorium’s first-floor.
- Pervasive contamination of wood surfaces was present on the first floor of the main auditorium.
- Strong odors and significant growth were observed on the ground floor lobby and refreshment area.
- The wood and synthetic surfaces of furniture in the area were inundated with established fungal growth.
- The most impacted room was the ground floor room, which is west of the refreshments stations. The odor and atmospheric organic load influenced breathing while sampling.
- Fungal growth was observed on wooden door surfaces, which exhibited stable and established fungal structures.
The testing and subsequent assessment is step one in a five-step plan to remediate the mold growth released by the city and Broadway in Jackson on Aug. 19.
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What are the three molds? Are they dangerous?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state all three are some of the most common molds found both indoors and outdoors.
Aspergillus is a common mold that can potentially cause infections in humans when people inhale its spores, especially those with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC. Aspergillus and penicillium are often found together because of their similar spores.
Reactions to Cladosporium are rare, according to Healthline. The mold usually causes an allergic response, but they can be potentially dangerous and could cause a fungal infection in the lungs.
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“The presence of Cladosporium in indoor environments is not unusual and may be associated with accumulated dust and poor housekeeping on certain flat surfaces,” the report states. “Air handling units which collect dust and debris over time may develop Cladosporium due to favorable conditions for mold growth.”
Report recommends the following actions
- Immediate stabilization of indoor environment and repair of the HVAC system.
- Removal of carpet from the northern part of the stage until the end of the first section. The fungal communities are pronounced in this substrate visually, which is indicative of the presence of “non-visible hyphae growth underneath and through the carpet substratum. This will remain a reservoir for future contamination. Other carpeting should be cleaned if removal and replacement is not an immediate option.
- All hard surfaces should be damp wiped with a mild detergent and fungicidal solution. This includes floors, walls, return and supply air vents, chair armrests, handrails, hard portions of seatbacks, furniture, counter tops and flat surfaces.
- All soft upholstery surfaces should be cleaned with appropriate mild detergent and fungicidal solution where appropriate to use. Steam injection can be a first stage to this process for immediate removal of organics and fungal mass.
- Fungal growth on hard metal surfaces should be vigorously cleaned with mild detergent and fungicidal solution.
- Contact cleaning of the supply air diffusers in the ceilings on the ground, 2nd, and 3rd floors.
- The interior of the interior ground floor air handler unit should be contact cleaned where accumulated dust and mold growth was present in the fan housing compartment.
- All surfaces in the ground floor lobby area should be disinfected and wiped down with mild detergent and fungicidal solution, including the ground floor room, which is west of the refreshments’ stations.
- It is recommended there be a final air quality clearance survey post implementation of remediation strategy to assess surfaces and to conduct a reduced spore trap survey. As well as to conduct a psychrometric survey to ensure HVAC is performing to specifications.
- A high efficiency particulate air-equipped filtration device should be operated in all fungal impacted locations during all cleaning activities to reduce the amount of aerosolized dust and potential mold spores.
City releases statement on the report
A little before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the city released the report in a press release “in the interest of transparency.”
“The report, reviewed by a senior industrial hygienist, outlines the findings from the company the city contracted with, CTEH – Environmental and Scientific Consulting Services,” the press release states. “The report recommends the repair of the HVAC system and the removal of some carpeting. It also recommends the cleaning of carpets, hard surfaces, floors and soft upholstery. A final air quality clearance survey is also requested. Today, the remediation team will meet with city officials for the third time.”
There is still no timeline for the reopening of Thalia Mara Hall and all major events have been moved to the Mississippi Coliseum.
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The city’s press release also thanked the Mississippi State Legislature for allocating $1 million this past session for improvements to the venue, which will be used for mold remediation efforts.
“Most important, though, is the health and safety of our community. We will reopen Thalia when these concerns are alleviated. We do not currently have a timeframe for repairs, but will advise the public when we do. The city thanks the public for its patience and understanding during this temporary hiatus,” the press release states.
What shows have been moved to the Mississippi Coliseum?
In a phone call Tuesday afternoon, Arden Barnett, the owner of Ardenland, the company hired to book shows at Thalia Mara Hall, said the Oct. 19 show of comedian Ali Siddiq has been moved to the Coliseum.
He is still waiting to hear if the Sept. 22 show of comedian Kevin Hart and the Oct. 18 of rock band Kansas is moving there as well.
Barnett said “there is a chance” Hart’s show will move to the Coliseum, but also that “he might be done with Jackson” since he has already had to reschedule his May shows.
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