Expand precautionary mould testing in schools

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Expand precautionary mould testing in schools: parent

Last Updated: Monday, December 4, 2006 | 6:49 AM NT

CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador - St. 's,Newfoundland,Canada

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-

labrador/story/2006/12/04/mould-testing.html

The closure of a Corner Brook school because of mould is prompting

more questions about air quality and safety in Newfoundland and

Labrador's schools.

The Western School District announced Friday afternoon it would

close Humber Elementary, possibly for the rest of the school year.

The discovery of mould in walls and a ceiling prompted the move,

making it the second school in as many weeks to close because of

mould problems.

Marks, whose younger child, , attends Grade 6 at the

school, thinks more testing should be done in all schools.

" [it] seems to be a lot in the news lately, of different schools

throughout Newfoundland. It makes you wonder if maybe things like

that should be done and looked at more frequently, " Marks told CBC

News.

" I'm surprised it's going to take so long to clean up which just

goes to show how big a problem was there undetected, I guess, all

along. "

Near St. 's, Paradise Elementary was closed for an undetermined

period as crews replace walls, ceilings, windows and a ventilation

system.

Marks said she spent plenty of time in Humber Elementary, but did

not notice anything odd herself.

However, Marks, 11, said he did.

" I noticed a smell down in the classroom that they're looking for it

in, " he said. " It always had a bad smell coming from [it]. "

He and about 370 students will be transferred temporarily to other

schools in the city.