CLASS MOLD FEARS

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CLASS MOLD FEARS

KIDS AILING: PARENTS

November 5, 2007

New York Post - New York,NY*

By DOUGLAS MONTERO and YOAV GONEN

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11052007/news/regionalnews/class_mold_fea

rs_114443.htm

Parents say officials at PS 33 brushed off their concerns about a

possible mold infestation.--

Parents at a Manhattan elementary school who believe a moldy

classroom is making their kids sick are fuming that education

officials haven't taken their concerns seriously.

Parents attributed a leak inside a classroom wall at PS 33 in

Chelsea to mold-friendly conditions that have kept kids home for

days with breathing problems and said the principal has failed to

ensure the rooms are safe.

" Children with no history of breathing problems have started

wheezing, " said McKenna, who has seen her 4-year-old son

Jack's asthma worsen over the last month. " You walked into the room,

and it was just like being smacked in the face by mustiness. "

An industrial hygienist contracted by the Department of Education

completed a " limited visual assessment for mold " on Oct. 16,

according to a report obtained by The Post.

It verifies that walls in three classrooms were moist from an

apparent drain leak but says that " no visible mold was observed " and

that the classrooms were safe.

But parents said that the mold had been painted over by the school

custodian and that the report made it clear it was not a

comprehensive inspection.

An environmental consultant contacted by The Post questioned why the

report did not include any mention of air sampling for mold spores.

" That would help us to detect hidden mold that you can't see,

particularly if they repainted, " said Weitz, chief operating

officer of RTK Environmental Group.

Principal Linore Lindy did not return a call for comment Friday.

Department of Education spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said air-quality

tests showed the air was safe. Spore samples were also conducted

Friday, the day The Post made inquiries about the school.

" It hasn't been confirmed that any of this was associated with any

kind of mold, " she said.

douglas.montero@...