"Mold Closes Knox County Middle School"
WBIR TV (NBC Knoxville)
Feb 3, 2006
Reporter:Kay Watson
Class was canceled Friday, so cleaning crews could get rid of mold found in the 7th grade wing.
An environmental engineering firm found the common mold.
Student complaints prompted their tests.
"There have been reports of sick kids," Knox County School Spokesperson Russ Oakes, explained.
Knox County's Director of Schols decided it would be better if students weren't there during the clean up.
But one company says it recently invented a special air filter that can destroy what's in the air without disturbing people nearby.
"This doesn't remove the problem," Atmospheric Glow Technologies (AGT) Engineering Director Alan Wintenberg explained. "It would allow people to keep using the space. Perhaps if they don't know the source of the problem, they can keep using the space safely while they look for it."
The TriClean Max is a silver box that makes a high-pitch humming noise.
Air passes through its unique plasma generator, which makes it possible to kill mold, bacteria and odors.
Campbell County used the award winning technology last year to help clear the air at one of its moldy schools.
Next week Knox County will meet with AGT to learn more about the $2,500 units.
That money may save a school day in the future, but ruin the day for students.
"Kids would probably rather have the day off," Wintenberg laughed.
Crews will clean all weekend and school should re-open Monday.
The environmental firm will run tests again to make sure the air quality is acceptable.
Oakes says air samples usually show the air inside schools is better than air outside.