Damage caused by dampness found in one in four Helsinki schools
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One in four schools in Helsinki have suffered from damage caused by dampness in the past four years. Dampness in building structures often leads to fungus growth, which has a negative effect on air quality.
Serious damage from dampness has been found in four per cent of schools, says the Building Department of the City of Helsinki. Damage is classified as serious if the dampness spreads fast and weakens structures of the buildings.
However, officials responsible for school buildings in the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa say that schools are not suffering from any very serious fungal problems.
The figures for Helsinki refer to damage noticed over a period of four hears, most of which has already been repaired.
"I would not describe the situation as a disaster", says Pekka Hapuoja of the Helsinki Real Estate Department.
"Naturally, if water seeps into the structures and is allowed to fester there for a long time, there will be problems. However, I do not believe that the situation has deteriorated in recent years", Hapuoja says.
Administering the property of the school buildings of the City of Helsinki was moved from the Education Department to the Real Estate Department in 2003.
In Espoo, Seppo Holste of the city's real estate service centre says that there are no significant dampness problems in Espoo's schools at the moment. However, there are problems caused by poor ventilation in ageing buildings.
In Vantaa, repairs occasioned by dampness have been implemented in about ten schools a year, says Pekka Wallenius, who is responsible for the city's construction and building repair activities.
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health wants to focus on the quality of air inside the school buildings.
"Dampness damage can be a health risk if structures are not fixed early enough", notes Kari Reijula, of the institute.
There are many causes of dampness damage. He says that for economic reasons, not enough building repairs have taken place. "This is why problems have come", Reijula says.
Awareness of the problem of indoor air quality has increased, according to air quality expert Kirsi Torikka. During the past four years, schools have started having pre-emptive dampness studies in anticipation of major renovation.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 6.2.2007 - TODAY |
 Damage caused by dampness found in one in four Helsinki schools |
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