Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, L.L.C.

5120 North Shore Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118 Phone: 501.801.8500 Fax: 501 801.8501 www.cteh.com

January 4, 2013 Keith Treadway General Counsel DeSoto County Schools 5 East South Street Hernando, Mississippi 38632 Re: Microbial Assessment Olive Branch Elementary School

Dear Mr. Treadway: At your request, Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, L.L.C. (CTEH) conducted a microbial assessment of the previously affected areas at Olive Branch Elementary located at 9549 Pigeon Roost Road in Olive Branch, Mississippi. CTEH also performed a review of an existing report prepared by another contractor for the purpose reviewing the sampling methodologies, findings and conclusions. On January 2, 2013, CTEH performed an initial microbial assessment of the Olive Branch Elementary School. Mr. David N. Watts, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), from the CTEH Little Rock, Arkansas office performed the assessment and was accompanied by Gerald Faucher with the DeSoto County School System maintenance department. The purpose of this assessment was to review the previous areas of concern in the building related to a students complaint of potential allergen exposure, as well as a review of the areas of concern raised during an assessment performed by G7 Environmental Services, Inc. The review of the report prepared by G7 Environmental Services (G7), Limited Indoor Microbial Assessment Report, dated November 30, 2012, describes a series of air samples and one swab sample that were collected from the school building. The report also describes the collection of relevant indoor air quality parameters that were collected as part of this assessment. These parameters included temperature and humidity conditions from within the building, as well as moisture readings collected from various substrates in the building. The results of the air sampling collected by G7 did not yield any atypical or elevated airborne mold spores at the time of the sampling. The location of the air sampling appeared to be consistent with historical complaints in the building related to the complainants classroom and previous areas of suspect water damage or mold growth. An outdoor air sample was also collected for background purposes and this would be consistent with standard industry practice. Furthermore, G7 reported the collection of one swab sample from a suspect area of mold

growth in the kitchen of the school. The reported finding of this single swab sample contained the presence of Cladosporium. The findings of the microbial assessment performed by G7 yielded normal and typical sample results with respect to airborne mold spore concentrations. Likewise, the swab sample contained a presence of mold growth; however this area of identified growth in the kitchen was likely caused by excessive moisture in an area where mopping and cleaning activities routinely occurs and may be considered localized. Furthermore, G7 identified several areas in the building where accumulated dust and suspect growth may have accumulated as a result of normal activities or hard to reach areas that may not routinely receive cleaning. These areas were listed as the return air plenum for the HVAC system in classroom 8, as well as suspect areas of mold growth in the kitchen that were addressed shortly following the inspection by G7, according to the report. The conclusions and recommendations cited in the G7 report would be considered appropriate and consistent with the practice performed by myself or another CTEH professional. The review of the G7 report by CTEH did not yield any areas of professional practice that would have been considered inadequate or unusual. G7 appeared to have exercised the standard of care by similar professionals practicing in microbial assessment and indoor air quality evaluations. The assessment conducted by CTEH on January 2, 2013, was intended to review the current conditions throughout the school, examine the areas of identified accumulated dust and/or mold growth from the G7 report and discuss maintenance and corrective items implemented by the DeSoto County School System maintenance department. The assessment performed by CTEH including classroom 8 and its respective HVAC system, the corridors of the blue, red and green buildings, an examination of the previously waterimpacted areas of the buildings and kitchen and cafeteria spaces. The inspection of these areas did not yield any presence of water damage, excessive dust or debris of mold growth. Mr. Faucher reported that the areas previously identified in the G7 report had been addressed by a cleaning method and drying. The interior of the HVAC system in classroom 8 appeared to be in good condition with minimal dust and no active presence of visible mold growth. The area above the acoustical ceiling tiles was also found to be in good condition with no presence of moisture, water damage, mold growth or evidence of rodents. Overall, the condition of the school building would be characterized as normal and typical for a school environment with no readily visible presence of mold growth, moisture or malodors that may be indicative of poor air quality or may contributing to an unusual degree of allergens.

At this time, CTEH does not have any recommendations for further action at the Olive Branch Elementary School. If you have any questions regarding this report, please call me at (501) 801-8584. Sincerely, Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, L.L.C.

David N. Watts Director of Industrial Hygiene Services