School Air Quality Irritates Students, Teachers at Deland High School

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School Air Quality Irritates Students, Teachers

DeLand High School Brings In Consultant To Investigate

POSTED: 4:12 p.m. EST November 20, 2003

UPDATED: 5:57 p.m. EST November 20, 2003

DELAND, Fla. -- Poor air quality at DeLand High School has students and teachers suffering from allergy-like symptoms.

Concerns over the air quality in Building No. 18 of the high school first arose during the last school year, when a fishy smell was detected, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.

Now, complaints have arisen again, even after the initial problem was thought to be taken care of. "Symptoms being runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat-type things, irritants to anyone who might be here in Building 18," said principal Mitch Moyer. The school has called in consultants this time and even added timers to each classroom to make sure there is an equal flow of inside and outside air is circulating in the building. Filters have been added to each classroom to clean the air. Yet, there is no exact cause found. "Our tests so far, our data so far, do not show we have any health hazards. We don't see any signs of fungi or mold or bacteria, but we do have irritants," said facilities director Pat Drago. The school's investigation will continue but it may take a while before a cause is pinpointed. To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Ron Kendrick.

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