Reports cite unsafe level of mold in elementary school

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Reports cite unsafe level of mold in elementary school

By: Kerry Heeran, Herald Staff

New Britain Herald - New Britain,CT

http://www.newbritainherald.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=18042424 & BRD=1641 & PAG=461 & dept_id=595283 & rfi=6

NEW BRITAIN - The controversial case of the alleged mold discovery

at DiLoreto Elementary School was discussed Monday at the Board of

Education meeting.

Deborah Kennedy, media specialist at DiLoreto School and union

representative, read a statement from the New Britain Federation of

Teachers.

Kennedy discussed two reports, including a report from the Allergy

Associates of Fairfield and a report from the University of

Connecticut Health Center.

" These reports show that DiLoreto Magnet School is a 'sick

building,' " she said to the board during the public participation

period. " The term 'sick building syndrome' is used to describe

situations in which building occupants experience acute health and

discomfort that appear to be linked to time spent in a specific

building. "

In the Allergy Associates of Fairfield report, compiled by Dr.

Santilli, teachers at the school were given a survey about their

allergic symptoms. The report concluded that " all the teachers

responding to the questionnaire had at least mild allergic rhinitis

and asthma-related symptoms while in the building. " In the UConn

report, compiled by research industrial hygienist Simcox, a

walkthrough evaluation was conducted and found " the basement

contains visible mold " in the storage area, which includes

furniture, boxes and teaching materials.

" To date we have two staff members who have been removed from

DiLoreto due to " sick building syndrome, " Kennedy said. " Please keep

in mind that the health problems reported by a majority of the

teaching staff at DiLoreto are certainly impacting the students as

well. "

Superintendent Doris Kurtz also discussed the issue and its updates

in her report during the meeting.

Kurtz said the report by Santilli was " opinion " because it was only

a survey and Simcox's report was limited to observations without

actual testing.

Kurtz said the board did receive information during the meeting from

an independent firm in Newington regarding the situation in a report

called " IAQ Study and Sampling for Mold/Fungi. " Kurtz said after

members of the board reviewed the report, the results will be

further discussed in a meeting later this week.

Ray , director of facilities, said the report concluded

that " No mold that exceeds safe limits " was found in classrooms.

Kurtz said the Occupa-tional Safety and Health Administration will

also be doing a two-to-three-week evaluation and those results will

be shared with the public after completion.

With regard to OSHA and state guidelines, Kurtz said " no reports

have shown standards that are unacceptable. "