Hospital School Infested with Dangerous Mould

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Hospital School Infested with Dangerous Mould

published today 09:23 PM, updated today 09:37 PM

YLE News - Helsinki,Uusimaa,Finland

http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2009/02/hospital_school_infested_with_d

angerous_mould_541205.html

Image: YLE

The school for sick children at the Helsinki Children's Hospital is

infested with harmful black mould. Many of the children have severely

compromised immune systems, and exposure to mould could have serious

effects on their health.

Most of the students at the school are being treated for cancer.

Their weak immune systems means it's too risky for them to attend

regular schools. Mould, however, could cause dangerous infections in

these children.

Infections could put cancer patients' health at risk because

treatment may have to be postponed until the infection clears up.

" We have no concrete information, but we fear the worst. The younger

students have been studying in these rooms for a long time. We've

taken samples and physicians are investigating, " says school

principal Olli Hyvönen.

The extent of the mould problem was discovered when water damage was

being cleaned up from a play room and school offices. The mould

required the school to close off half of the school from use.

Classes are being held, among other places, in physicians' lecture

halls - whenever they are free. The school may not be ready to re-

open off-limits rooms until the summer.

YLE