Mold forces Springville to cancel classes; fourth district with mold issues

UPDATE: Classes will not be held in the Springville Community School District today, and students were sent home early Thursday, after district officials found mold growing in classrooms at the district's elementary school.

Springville is at least the fourth school district in Eastern Iowa to have mold issues in the last few days.

“I think you tend to react to it quicker when the news is out there, plus when you start hearing about it, you get a panic going," said Springville superintendent Terry Rhinehart. "We wanted to deal with it right away and not have that panic out there."

Teachers found mold growing in a few classrooms in the elementary school, said Rhinehart.

Linn County Public Health officials said there are a myriad of reasons why mold forms.  But it always comes because there's too much moisture in the air or environment.  This year, officials think the high humidity and record rainfall are key reasons why mold is growing in so many schools.

Many schools don't have air conditioning because of the expense, and Public Health officials say if air quality can't be kept constant in a building, it's easier for mold to grow.  Officials also said there are no regulations for how much mold is acceptable for indoor air quality.

While classes won't be held until at least Monday, the high school football game is still on for Friday night, said Rhinehart.

Mold is primarily a concern for people with allergies and asthma. It can cause irritated eyes, a stuffy nose and sore throat.

Prolonged exposure can cause more severe reactions. But experts say most healthy people won't see any effect from exposure to mold.