Coeur d'Alene school district has mold concerns

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Coeur d'Alene school district has mold concerns

The Idaho Statesman*

The Associated Press

07/07/08

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/434970.html

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Concern over mold and resulting allergy-like

symptoms in a northern Idaho school district's main offices caused

administrators to reverse their decision to move students into the

building.

Two years ago, employees at the Coeur d'Alene School District office

began reporting health problems they attributed to mold. State tests

revealed air contaminant levels slightly higher than those outside -

the air quality industry's standard measurement for clean air.

While an industrial hygienist with the state of Idaho said there was

little reason for concern, the district contracted with a Spokane-

based company to reassess the building in 2007 after problems

persisted.

Now, even after the installation of a new ventilation system and the

removal of a tree that blocked sunlight into the building, the Coeur

d'Alene district has ditched plans to hold the Sorensen Magnet

School for the Arts and Humanities Advanced Learning Program in the

building's conference room. Sorensen Principal Jim Gray will meet

with parents this summer to find an alternative location.

" Once there's a perception of a problem it becomes very, very

difficult to address, " said Trent, manager of Spokane's

Fulcrum Environmental Consulting Inc., who conducted the tests on

the Coeur d'Alene district offices. " It kind of ranks up there with

pollen and cat dander. If you're allergic, you're going to have some

problems. If you're not, you're not. "

Trent's workers didn't find mold, but he said he knew something was

causing employees to report itchy eyes, scratchy throats and other

symptoms: A Fulcrum employee experienced similar symptoms within

minutes of entering the building.

After weeks of examination and research, he recommended the district

examine its heating system.

" My suspicion is, it's extremely unlikely that there's a condition

that would be problematic for children, " Trent said. " That being

said, just given the fact that we've had concerns in that building

and that it's an older building, if someone called and said, 'Hey,

we want to move a classroom there,' I would certainly express

concern. "

About one in four people are allergic to mold or other air

contaminants.

In northern Idaho, suspected mold allergies have arisen at other

schools, too, teachers say.

Conner, a Sandpoint teacher, left her post at Farmin-Stidwell

Elementary School after a mysterious smell that began in 2006

affected her health so much her doctor ordered her not to return to

the building - even after she moved to a classroom on the other side

of the school and long after the district declared the problem

solved.

" I was sick every day I was there, " she said. " I felt that I was

losing my mind. "

She transferred to another school last year and the symptoms haven't

reoccurred.