270 U of L freshmen have to vacate dorm because of mold

The University of Louisville has told 270 freshmen they have to move out in the middle of midterm exams after high levels of mold were found in their residence hall. The students were told remove everything they brought with them to Miller Hall. The dorm will be closed the rest of the semester. Those displaced are being moved to other dorms, university-affiliated housing and hotel rooms near campus.

U of L inspections found high levels of two types of mold spores, aspergillus and penicillium, that don’t normally present a threat but could affect people with allergies, asthma and upper respiratory problems if exposed to high levels in closed spaces, said Dr. Phillip Bressoud, director of student health. More residence halls could also have a mold problem, and the university is still awaiting the results from tests. Staten said. (Read more)

Students with tooth problems don't do as well in school

More evidence shows students who have dental problems struggle more in school. A new study of almost 1,500 disadvantaged students in Los Angeles public schools found those who had had recent tooth pain were four times more likely to have a low grade-point average (below 2.8) than those who didn't have problems.

Another recent survey found that one in nine American children ages 9 to 11 have untreated tooth decay in their permanent, adult teeth. A 2011 study in North Carolina concluded students with poor oral health were three times more likely to miss school because of dental pain.

Parents and policy makers should be concerned with the findings, says Matt Jacob for the Pew Center on the States. In California, about 504,000 children missed at least one school day in 2007 because of a toothache or another oral health-related problem. (Read more)