Mold found in Seattle school

[Guest guest]

Friday, July 22, 2005

Mold found in Seattle school

Headaches, illnesses reported at Arbor Heights

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/233621_mold22.html

The interim report can be viewed online at

www.halcyon.com/arborhts/air/index.htm

By CHRISTINE FREY

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

A preliminary report commissioned after Arbor Heights Elementary

students complained of mysterious headaches, colds and other

illnesses found mold in carpets, on wallboard and under portable

classrooms at the school.

A recent investigation conducted by Envirotest Research Inc.

discovered mold in at least three rooms and a " moldy odor " in the

library, psychologist's office and a few rooms.

Although mold and water damage was found in the school, the interim

report indicates that the problem is not as bad as parents feared,

said Joe Sharp, an Arbor Heights parent and member of a task force

set up to address the issue.

" We think that all those things can be fixed, " he said. " Everybody

knew that there was a problem when (Envirotest Research President

) came in. We fully expected him to find mold in

places that the district didn't expect to find it. "

But the building, Sharp said, is " basically OK. It's not so critical

that they have to worry about tearing it down. "

Seattle Public Schools already has begun repairs to address some of

the problems raised in the report and has authorized more money to

pay for a final study, a spokesman said.

The Arbor Heights PTA asked an independent air-quality consultant to

study the school following student complaints of illnesses.

The report, which was published earlier this month, details

's observations by room, noting water stains, moisture in

crawl spaces and odors.

He was taking more samples at the school yesterday and waiting for

the results of blood tests from several students and teachers.

He said he had a better idea of what was causing the problems and

would disclose his findings in a final report, which could come out

next week.

The interim report recommends additional testing for mold in the

ceilings of six rooms, using water tolerant building materials,

replacing roof drains, cleaning carpets and replacing the school's

vacuums.

The school district has begun replacing water-damaged ceiling tiles,

correcting plumbing problems and fixing roof drains, spokesman

s said.

It also has asked an outside firm to address the problem of water

pooling under portable classrooms; the district expects to receive a

report with recommendations from the firm today, s said.

" I think from the district's point of view we feel really good about

the progress being made, " he said.

The school district, which is paying for 's investigation,

recently agreed to pay to conduct follow-up work, s

said.

ON THE WEB

The interim report can be viewed online at

www.halcyon.com/arborhts/air/index.htm

P-I reporter Frey can be reached at 206-448-8176 or

christinefrey@....