Action line 80905 - Dorm mold

  • Published
  • By Anonymous
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint:

I am deeply concerned over the number of dorm rooms that are been affected by mold. I am aware not all types of mold are highly dangerous to your health, but all types of mold pose risks with long-term exposure. I know of three individuals in Bldg. 885 alone who have had mold cover their entire room or entire walls. This was while they were gone for time periods ranging from months to even a weekend. This to me is not even a standard of living issue; it is an issue of public health and safety. This problem will only continue to get worse if nothing is done.

Response:

I appreciate your concern for the health our personnel living in the dorms, and I completely agree: dorm residents should not be exposed to potentially dangerous molds growing in their rooms. We are working this issue hard. Let me discuss this issue in two parts: information on mold, and what you need to do to prevent its growth.

First, mold thrives in moist, warm environments with little or no air circulation and can grow virtually anywhere: food, wood, paper and carpet, to name a few. The air in Adana has a relative humidity range of 73% to 86%, and you well know it's been hot! Perfect for mold growth. So the key to controlling mold is to keep your room dry and cool with good air circulation.

The dorm rooms have individual air conditioning / heating units. These units must be on and operating properly. The recommended temperature settings are 78F for cooling and 68F for heating. Occupants must replace or clean, as appropriate, their air conditioning filter on a monthly basis to keep the air flowing efficiently. If the system's air flow is restricted by a dirty filter, or furniture/boxes/whatever, then mold and mildew will start to grow in the room. Residents can get replacement filters from the CE Self-Help Center. For TDYs or long absences, don't turn off the HVAC, but set it at a lower setting to ensure airflow and prevent mold/mildew accumulation.

Additionally, exhaust fans pull moisture from your bathroom and help keep it out of your living area. If it is not functioning properly, please contact 39 CES Service Call Desk immediately at 676-7008.

Regular cleaning of tile walls using a chlorine solution will aid in preventing mold. However, if you do discover excessive amounts of mold growing in your room, call the CE Customer Service Desk to open a job order to remove it. If you have any questions about mold, please contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at 676-6305. If you have health concerns (allergic reactions, asthma, etc.), contact your primary care provider at 676-6173 to schedule an appointment.

This issue has been on our scope for some time. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to get this information out. Do not hesitate contacting our base CE pros if these actions are not working.