The tests were done shortly after UofL officials decided to close Miller Hall for the rest of the semester due to widespread elevated levels of mold spores.
Miller Hall was closed Oct. 14 so mold remediation experts could clean it thoroughly and search for the source. Housing moved residents to other university housing, university-affiliated properties and three hotels on Phillips Lane near campus. Some moved to family homes in the Louisville area. Regular shuttle service and increased security have been arranged for the students at the hotels and affiliated properties.
UofL’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety employees, working with a nationally recognized indoor environmental expert, have been conducting tests in residence halls for the past week. While aspergillus or penicillium-like molds are visible in a few rooms at Threlkeld, Wellness and West Halls, experts believe the university can address the issues without relocating students. Testing has started in other housing units.
Specially trained crews will clean rooms with visible mold over the next few days. Students will not need to leave their rooms for the cleaning.
To control the circulation of mold spores in Threlkeld Hall, UofL has turned off all heating and air conditioning units in the building. Tests conducted shortly after the systems were turned off showed a significant decrease in the amount of mold spores in the air throughout the facility. Plans call for the building to be warmed for the remainder of the fall semester by increasing radiant heat from its water boilers.
UofL officials said a thorough cleaning or replacement of all heating and air conditioning units in Threlkeld and a few units in the other two halls is necessary and will be completed during the holiday break, Dec. 14 to Jan. 6.
