Updated 9/16: Formaldehyde level in mobile classroom concerns parents

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Updated 9/16: Formaldehyde level in mobile classroom concerns

parents

September 16, 2008

Glenview Announcements*

By LYNNE STIEFEL

lstiefel@...

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/glenview/news/1166435,gv-webtrailer-

091608-s1.article

Parents of some Henking School students were dismayed to learn that

their children had been attending classes in a mobile unit that

testing has shown had slightly elevated levels of formaldehyde and a

trace of mold.

" There's nothing more important than the health and safety of our

children, " Maureen Geiger, mother of a second-grader there, told the

School Board Monday night. " We need to be able to trust that our

children are going off to a safe place, that we're being told the

whole story and the truth, and that the district is willing to work

with us and not act dismissive of us. "

After receiving the test results late last week, Glenview District

34 officials Monday moved the two classes to a second mobile unit

outside Henking, which testing had found to be within normal ranges.

The testing company told school officials that the formaldehyde

level was higher than that found in a typical home but lower than

the level considered unsafe by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

" This is an issue of concern to the board, " Board President

told the half dozen Henking parents at Monday's meeting. " I

think you can rest assured the board is taking it very seriously. "

What spurred tests

Superintendent Gerald Hill said many school districts that use

mobile units as classrooms decided to test them for formaldehyde

levels after learning that those used for temporary housing of

Hurricane Katrina victims had high levels.

" We knew last spring we would do this testing, but we had to wait

until the mobiles were set up to test, " Hill said.

The district purchased three mobile units, each with enough space

for two classrooms, with the intent of setting up two at Westbrook

School and one at Henking School for use this school year.

A mobile unit purchased in 2000 and used at Springman Middle School,

then moved in 2003 to Pleasant Ridge School, was to be moved again

to Henking School.

The three new units were delivered late, school officials said. As a

result, only the 8-year-old unit was ready for occupancy when

classes began Aug. 21.

Hill said the air tests were conducted in that unit just as classes

were starting. The Henking student spent 16 school days in the unit

while the samples were evaluated.

The testing firm suspected the source of the formaldehyde might have

been new cabinets installed in the unit for the current school year.

In addition to elevated formaldehyde levels, the testing showed a

small amount of visible mold on wallboard adjacent to a doorway,

probably caused by a leaky roof.

The firm recommended exhaust fans or another source of fresh air

intake be added, and that gutters be installed.

Since the mobile unit no longer is in use, the board has asked staff

to recommend whether to make the repairs or purchase a new mobile

unit.

Whatever the decision, Spaulding, parent of a Henking second-

grader, encouraged prompt action.

" I think there are some simple, low-cost ways this can be dealt

with, and I don't think these were properly investigated, " he told

the board. " When it comes to the safety of our children, I think you

need to act decisively. "