Submission Type
Poster
Start Date
4-26-2023
Abstract
In 2018-19, there was a problem with mold on campus at SUNY Old Westbury that was making students sick. In addition, there have been recent cases of mold in the residence halls at the University of Minnesota, Vanderbilt University, and Penn State, all of which involved students reporting signs of illness. This project seeks to determine if mold is growing in certain areas of the residence halls on campus at SUNY Geneseo and, if so, whether the mold is considered dangerous to humans. To test for mold growth, we will use mold testing kits and swabbing for mold in multiple areas within the residence halls on campus. If mold is present, a more specific kit will be used to determine if it is a toxic variety. Mold is expected to be present because it is highly prevalent; however, not all molds cause harm to humans. Currently, black spots have been noted in some residence hall bathrooms that may be mold. The test kit results will determine whether they are. Although there may be mold present in the residence halls, it may not be harmful to students.
Recommended Citation
Spencer, Renee; Aguilera-Fonseca, Jennifer; Butler, Anson; Cawley, Michaela; DeJesus, Anastasia; Fasano, Mandi; and Gluchoski, Amy, "254 - Mold Testing in Various SUNY Geneseo Residence Halls" (2023). GREAT Day Posters. 14.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2023/posters-2023/14
254 - Mold Testing in Various SUNY Geneseo Residence Halls
In 2018-19, there was a problem with mold on campus at SUNY Old Westbury that was making students sick. In addition, there have been recent cases of mold in the residence halls at the University of Minnesota, Vanderbilt University, and Penn State, all of which involved students reporting signs of illness. This project seeks to determine if mold is growing in certain areas of the residence halls on campus at SUNY Geneseo and, if so, whether the mold is considered dangerous to humans. To test for mold growth, we will use mold testing kits and swabbing for mold in multiple areas within the residence halls on campus. If mold is present, a more specific kit will be used to determine if it is a toxic variety. Mold is expected to be present because it is highly prevalent; however, not all molds cause harm to humans. Currently, black spots have been noted in some residence hall bathrooms that may be mold. The test kit results will determine whether they are. Although there may be mold present in the residence halls, it may not be harmful to students.
Comments
Additional authors: Atoria Hamm, Matthew Liao, Madeline Predmore, and Natalie Riedy;
Sponsored by Eric Helms