Mold at school cause of boy's headaches?

[Guest guest]

Published: Saturday, May 17, 2008

Mold at school cause of boy's headaches?

Nashua Telegraph - Nashua,NH*

By JESSIE SALISBURY Correspondent

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080517/NEWS01/324043561/-1/OPINION01

LYNDEBOROUGH – A local family believes the air in Lyndeborough

Central School is causing their son's headaches.

School board members received a letter recently from Ray and

Kathleen Humphreys of Crooked S Road, saying their third-grade son

was complaining of headaches and sore eyes two or three times a

week. Both parents attended a board meeting on Monday.

" Our concern is also for the other students, " said Ray Humphreys.

The Humphreys' letter says the school is " old and sick, " and listed

mold, fungus, radon and contaminated water as issues. Kathleen

Humphreys also noted that several teachers have complained.

Board Chairman Geoff Brock said the school's air had been tested and

steps have been taken to remedy problems. All tests have indicated

that problematic numbers are below state standards.

" The asbestos was removed professionally, " Brock said, and all of

the carpeting has been replaced with tile. " But we can look at them

again. "

Geiger, the town's health officer, asked if there had been

other student complaints. Principal Tussing said she hadn't

heard of any.

" It is important to know that, " Geiger said. " How many have seen the

school nurse?

" When you test for mold, it is always relative, comparing the inside

to the outside, where it is always present. "

Geiger read a list of usual air pollutants and the symptoms they

cause. Mold can induce headaches, she said.

The board agreed to have tests done for mold and fungi, carbon

monoxide and carbon dioxide. The drinking water is tested regularly

for several contaminants.

Kathleen Humphreys said her children bring bottled water.

" There have been concerns about air quality in the old building, "

Brock said. The building dates to 1949, and tests are done

regularly. " There are concerns about the old ventilation system.

This gives us a place to start.

" If we find a problem, we'll remediate it. "

Ray Humphreys said that with the change of seasons and more fresh

air, his son's symptoms " are getting better. " The boy also suffers

from allergies, the family acknowledged.

It was noted that an upgrade of the ventilation systems was included

in the building expansion plans that were twice voted down.

Jessie Salisbury can be reached at 654-9704 or jessies@....