BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS OWNER
See more photos and graphics at the bottom of this story relating to two separate inspections of the Autauga County Metro Jail.
Since June 6, 2024, when prisoners began being evacuated from the Autauga Metro Jail due to health and safety concerns by Sheriff Mark Harrell, two reports have come out from different agencies regarding the findings of jail tours and inspections. The HVAC system was shut down on April 1, prior to prisoners being evacuated due to the suspicion that several molds, including Black Mold, were present in the building.
EMC, Inc was brought in by the Autauga County Commission on June 6, 2024.
A Plus Cleaning & Restoration Testing and Inspection Services of Childersburg, Alabama was brought in on June 10 at the request of Sheriff Mark Harrell and Warden Larry Nixon.
The findings are different regarding recommendations, particularly should the building have been evacuated of all prisoners. Or, could prisoners be brought back to the facility while mold remediation is conducted? EMC, Inc does not use the word “evacuate” in their report, while A Plus’ report said the building MUST be evacuated and said Sheriff Harrell did the right thing by removing prisoners.
However, both reports do have some similarities. In this article we will cover the findings and the recommendations of both reports.
Editor’s Note: We reached out to both the Sheriff’s office and the County Commission around 1:30 p.m. today with one question, and asked for a reply. That is, would prisoners be brought back to the jail before mold remediation begins. And, if so, would they be given PPE, masks or respirators while the mold removal/treatment is conducted? We received a statement from Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell. It can be found at the end of this article. As of 7 p.m. we have not received a statement from the Autauga County Commission. When that is received, we will edit this article to include the statement.
EMC, Inc confirmed during their visit they performed general site observations with the jail facility that has exhibited mold/fungal growth. (Continue reading below for second report for A Plus.)
In the summary, the report says that “Mold is present in most environments around the world. There are thousands of types of mold with many types of subspecies. Everyone is exposed to molds spores in office buildings, stores, restaurants, in their homes and every day in the natural environment.” It goes on to say that most individuals with healthy immune systems do not exhibit health concerns or reactions under certain conditions and where spore counts stay within a normal or average range. “However, cleaning processes should be in place to address various surfaces if mold is suspected to be present or is clearly visible.”
The report then addresses that the Autauga County Commission has an ongoing multiphase project over the past year and into the future to help address the issues and improve the overall indoor air quality. “However, in the interim, until the upgrades and renovation activities can be completed some cleaning and maintenance activities need to be performed either by janitorial staff and/or by a qualified contractor that specializes in various environmental remediation activities.”
During EMC’s site visit June 6, the report confirms they collected eight random and representative surface samples in locations that “clearly indicated the presence of mold/fungal growth.” The samples were collected using BioTape slides.
The surface samples were shipped to EMSL Analytical, Inc, in Smyrna Ga.
In their findings, they say the primary mold samples were identified as Cladosporium, which was found in all eight sample locations in “Medium to High” spore count concentrations. Aspergillus/Penicillium was reported at three locations, along with Penicillium/Talaromyces at one location. Stachybotrys/Memnoniells (commonly known as black mold) was indicated “in a ‘Rare’ count at only one sample location.”
“All of the listed types above with the exception of Stachybotrys/Memnoniella exhibited fruiting structures (bodies) and/or hyphae present which are associated with active mold growth which in turn produces more mold spores. As long as there is an adequate presence of moisture along with an adequate food source, mold will continue to grow. Mold will grow on most any material that is organic, or has an organic substance present, even dust particles.”
In their recommendations, EMC refers to the work the Commission has engaged by PH&J Architects to help design and administer a proposed renovation project. This includes mechanical upgrades and/or the replacement of various equipment in relation to the HVAC system for the jail facility.
EMC recommends some interim control measures, which involve cleaning and maintenance activities being performed throughout the facility until the renovation project can be awarded and completed. They suggest some basic safety precautions to be considered with disturbing mold contaminated areas.
“We recommend anyone cleaning or removing materials with mold should wear rubber gloves and/or disposable latex gloves along with properly wearing adequate respiratory protection such as a N95 face mask or respirators with HEPA type cartridges/filers such as P100.”
Eye protection may also be warranted, as well as disposable clothing being worn while performing cleaning and repairing mold impacted areas.
“We recommend that a consultation with a medical physician or specialist be performed, especially if someone has heart, pulmonary or any other known health issues prior to donning a suit, wearing respirators and working in warm and hot conditions. The hiring of a qualified and reputable contractor may be the best option in some cases.”
The second report was presented by A Plus and prepared for Autauga Couty Jail Warden Larry Nixon, by A Plus co-owner Kevin Ricke.
Within the findings of the A Plus report, Ricke confirms he was originally contacted by Warden Nixon to test and inspect the building for mold and water issues.
On June 10th, 2024, Ricke met with Warden Nixon, Sheriff Mark Harrell and Attorney Tray Richardson. This was four days after the jail had been evacuated.
Multiple air samples and swab samples were taken throughout the structure and sent to a third-party lab in Pelham, Alabama to be analyzed.
Outside air samples were also taken to use as a baseline.
Within the report, it states, “When comparing the inside air to that of the outside air quality, we would ideally want the air to be equal to or less than the outside spore count because we filter our air inside through the use of HVAC systems.”
Pictures were taken throughout the structure and many of those can be seen below.
Ricke said, “The reason the air samples are not showing a super high concentration of airborne mold spores is due to one major factor. Mold spores do not become airborne until they have exhausted all moisture and their food source. As long as they are still feeding, they do not become airborne. All of the mold in this building is still very active and the building is still high in moisture content.”
The report speaks of the analysis of mold samples and says, “In some areas of the prison, swab samples showed high concentrations of Stachybotrys mold.”
This is often referred to as “black mold.” Ricke said that Stachybotrys is commonly recognized as the most dangerous of mold species. Spores from this mold produce mycotoxins which are poisonous to humans if inhaled, eaten or touched.
The report states, “When Stachybotrys mold is found at these levels, it is always recommended that the building be evacuated until a complete and proper mold remediation is completed and post tested to ensure the air quality is at a safe level. The correct measurers were taken by evacuating the building until further evaluation could be completed.”
Ricke said the primary cause for the majority of the mold growth in this building is due to the HVAC systems not performing properly for several years. About 22 percent of the mold issue is due to leaks throughout the building in the past. The remainder of the 78 percent is due to the HVAC systems not being properly maintained or cleaned over the years.
The report says, “When these units were installed, the insulation (which is porous) was placed on the inside of the duct work. If this interior insulation picks up too much moisture and debris, mold will start growing inside of the ductwork into the insulation. Over the years, the debris has passed through the ductwork and deposited a lot of this organic material and embedded it into the insulation.”
Under Ricke’s recommendations, his lists a series of protocols that must be followed and performed in accordance with the IICRC water and mold standards.
The first step is to secure the building so no one other than the restoration company enters while the remediation process is ongoing. The only exception would be those who are authorized by the restoration company, the Sheriff or Warden. Even those authorized would still need to be in full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and be escorted by a member of the remediation company to ensure containment chambers are not breached.
This would be followed, according to Ricke, with the introduction of air scrubbers throughout the building for air filtration and air exchanges. It is recommended that all ductwork with insulation in the interior of the building be removed.
This would be followed by the removal of all porous materials affected by mold including ceiling tiles, sheetrock, clothing and any other organic materials.
Next would be to treat all areas with a hydrogen peroxide based anti-microbial product that is applied with a ULV (ultra-low volume) fogger. Once all those steps are completed, the air scrubbers must run for 48 hours, then turned off for 24 hours so post testing can be performed.
Finally, a third party would need to test the building to ensure that proper remediation has been performed and meets the industry standards. Only then, could the rebuild of the structure materials that were removed take place, the report states.
Autauga County Sheriff Harrell responded to our question about bringing prisoners back to the jail with the following statement.
“Based on the report produced by the Autauga County Commission from EMC, Inc., and their recommendations, I agree. In the EMC report it recommends ‘cleaning throughout the jail facility safety precautions need to be considered when disturbing mold. Anyone cleaning or removing materials should wear rubber gloves along with properly wearing respiratory protection such as a N95 mask. The use of disposable clothing being worn while performing cleaning or repairing mold impacted areas. The wearing of Tyvek disposable coveralls. We do recommend consultation with a medical physician or specialist if they have heart, pulmonary or other health issues before donning the suits in hot conditions. The hiring of a qualified and reputable contractor is the best option to remediate this mold issue.’”
Sheriff Harrell said the Autauga County Commission failed to report this in their previous press release.
His statement continues, “Based on our report from A Plus which goes further in stating that, ‘the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states when there is mold present, there is no need for sampling, but it can be helpful. 90 percent of the mold inspection was visible mold with pictures, swab samples, air samples and particular counter readings.’
“The HVAC system has been shut down since April 1, 2024. The system was shut down when SERVPRO advised that there was ‘black mold’ in the air ducts and could not proceed further due to it being beyond their expertise in cleaning. A Plus cleaning and Restoration and Inspection Services further stated, ‘The correct measures were taken by evacuating the building until further evaluation could be completed.’”
His statement continued, “According to both reports and the presence of mold to include Stachybotrys (Black Mold) in any quantitative measure is unhealthy. In a Jail setting with my staff, inmates, law enforcement and attorneys it is not prudent to require everyone entering the jail facility to wear Tyvek suits, masks and gloves. The HVAC is shut down and we are in the heat of summer. All these factors stated in the reports say that is not healthy, and I’m not going to risk safety of all people entering the jail nor or while remediation is taking place at the Autauga County Metro Jail. I am bound by Alabama Code 11-14-13 that states that the place prisoners are to be housed at the county jail must be properly ventilated so as to secure the health of those confined therein. I would like to remain open and transparent with any and all information as the shutting down of the Autauga Metro Jail.”
When we receive a statement from the Autauga County Commission, this article will be updated.
