Non-toxic mold shuts Thibodaux classroom

More than 200 students were moved to alternate classrooms last Friday when Thibodaux Elementary School staff detected a non-toxic mold growth in the walls of four classrooms.

The non-toxic mold, which is scientifically called cladosporium, started on the second floor of the north building and spread to an adjacent second floor classroom as well as the two classrooms below, according to Lafourche Parish School Board spokesman Floyd Benoit.

In addition, one of the four classrooms also had penicillin growing in it.

In the past 20 years, the spokesman said he could only recalled two similar incidents, where students were evacuated from the school, both of which ended up being dust, not mold. This is the first time mold was found at Thibodaux Elementary, he said.

Officials from ES&H of Laplace, who have contracted to immediately perform a complete removal of all mold and mold spores, told the school administration that the non-toxic mold is natural and finds a breeding ground in paper products.

According to ES&H officials, the non-toxic mold poses little immediate threat to most of the students. And, maintaining consistent humidity levels is important because it prevents bacteria from growing in the walls.

Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews sent letters home to the parents informing them of the mold growth in the classrooms. She said, “While these mold species are non-toxic, they do have the ability to trigger allergic reactions to sensitive individuals.”

On Friday, the fourth and fifth graders attended class at East Thibodaux Middle School. Benoit said students would return to the building once ES&H cleared it.