Mold Discovered in Duke's Edens Quad
Preliminary test results indicate the mold inside the buildings "is of the type most commonly recurring in our local outdoor environment," a Duke official says
Beginning next week, Duke University officials will come up with a plan to treat a common form of mold that was discovered this week in a residence hall on West Campus.
Eddie Hull, dean of residence life and executive director of housing services, said the mold does not appear to be a serious health risk to students, and no students have been relocated.
Hull sent an email Friday to students in Edens 2A, informing them that mold had been found in four rooms on the fifth floor.
Hull said Duke's Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) was contacted immediately and OESO inspectors are collecting air and surface samples inside and outside the building. Preliminary test results indicate the mold inside the buildings "is of the type most commonly recurring in our local outdoor environment," Hull's email noted.
"We won't know for sure until Monday how serious the problem may be. At this point, it does not appear to be an exposure problem," Hull said. "We take these things very seriously."
Students reported a dirt-like substance being blown through air vents.
Mold was discovered last fall in two of the five buildings that form the Edens Quad, including student rooms and common areas. At that time, the air handlers were cleaned, coated with paint and new diffusers were installed.
"Once the results of the latest testing are known, the university will take whatever steps are necessary to remedy the situation," Hull said.