CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
VOL. LXVIX, ISSUE 34 | NOVEMBER 29, 2017
HEALTH
Water tests ongoing at the Beach The university and Titan Environmental have yet to release results of water tests. By James Chow
Assistant News Editor
After multiple rounds of testing since early November, the university has yet to release a
clear update on the state of water at Cal State Long Beach. On Nov. 8, the drinking fountains in the McIntosh Humanities building were confirmed to have tested positive for lead. A day before, water fountains on campus were shut down and bound with tape. According to Mary Stephens, vice president of administration and finance, this closure was due to the water quality being below Environmental Protection Agen-
cy standards. Terri Carbaugh, vice president of public affairs, said the tests are still ongoing and the final results will not be available for several weeks due to diligent water testing in all buildings constructed after 1980. “We’re testing the water, retesting [and] redoing [tests] and double-checking — and we’ll release all that information in a few weeks,” Carbaugh said. The water, currently being
tested by Fullerton-based company Titan Environmental, was deemed unsafe to drink after a CHEM 100 class found lead in the fountains by the McIntosh building. All of the buildings put up after 1980 are being tested for lead. Buildings constructed before that time will have those water fountains replaced altogether, see LEAD, page 2
We’re testing the water, retesting [and] redoing [tests] and double-checking — and we’ll release all that information in a few weeks.”
“
Terri Carbaugh
D49er
Miranda Andrade-Ceja | Daily 49er
Aspergillus mold was found on the second floor of the library. The section has been closed off for three weeks.
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
THERE’S A FUNGUS AMONG US Second floor of University Library sectioned off due to Aspergillus discovery. By Miranda Andrade-Ceja Editor in Chief
Aspergillus mold was discovered in the stacks of books on the second floor of the library sometime in October, leaving the entire area cut off by either a clear plastic covering or caution tape.
On the second floor of the University Library, all is quiet as students diligently work from their laptops or immerse themselves in textbook readings. Only a few steps away from the tables accommodating studying students, the stacks have been sectioned off with caution tape and signs reading: “DO NOT ENTER. AREA CLOSED.” According to Terri Carbaugh, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Aspergillus mold is typically non-harmful unless prior conditions, such as allergies, exist. Carbaugh said the Uni-
versity Library is taking steps to eradicate the mold in the stacks of books, and has succeeded in isolating the Aspergillus so the rest of the second floor may operate as normal. “[Aspergillus] is fairly common,” Carbaugh said. “It’s non-threatening, but people who have allergies may be affected by something like that.” Aspergillus is a fungi whose spores are often present in the air we breathe, according to aspergillus.co.uk. While normally these spores do not cause illness in people, persons with weakened
immune systems, damaged lungs or allergies may be vulnerable to lung-related diseases if exposed to air with a high volume of spores. As of right now, it is unclear as to how long the second floor stacks will be restricted. For the time being, though, students don’t seem to mind using the study space beside the sectioned-off area. The second floor of the library is home to books on philosophy, history and geography, as well as the children’s section, which is still open to the public.
In an emailed statement to the Daily 49er, Dean of the Library Roman Kochan thanked Cal State Long Beach’s Physical Planning and Facilities Management for their success in isolating the mold. “We are truly fortunate this was caught early and that our team of professionals in PPFM acted so decisively to confirm the safely of all of us in the library and to take corrective action.” Kochan said. “Cleaning of the affected area is now in progress and access to it will be restored shortly.” This story will be updated.