Study: Repair Elementary Concern - Washington Rose Elementary School 4-9-98

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Study: Repair Elementary Concern / Health officials say Roosevelt

school can operate despite decay

Victor Ramos. STAFF WRITER

Despite poor ventilation, rainwater leaks and above-normal bacterial

levels, the Nassau Health Department has found " no reason " to close

the Washington Rose Elementary School.

Two reports - one requested by the Roosevelt district and the

other by its teachers union - cited several problems concerning

air quality and decay of facilities after parents and teachers had

complained of foul odors and ventilation problems. The reports were

prepared before an inspection by the health department.

" This building is 75 years old and it simply aged, " said Roosevelt

district superintendent T.C. Wallace Jr. " The board is discussing

some different options and there has not been a decision on how to proceed

yet. " The building reflects maintenance problems that are districtwide,

said Pecorale, chairman of a state panel appointed to oversee

the district.

The district's report, prepared by North Atlantic Laboratories

of Bay Shore, presented the results of tests for bacterial organisms

and traces of volatile compounds in indoor air. Its recommendations were

repair or replacement of the heating and ventilation system, air quality

training for custodial staff and improvement of cleaning practices

through the use of sanitizers.

The union-requested report, prepared by the Manhattan-based New

York Committee for Occupational Health, warned of " a potential risk

for the release of asbestos fibers " and suggested the repair or replacement

of the ventilation and heating systems, the repair of roof and pipe

leaks and attention to electrical safety problems observed in the

building.

Among the specific problems signaled by these reports were

above-normal airborne bacterial levels, which exceed guidelines in

one classroom; elevated levels of carbon dioxide in rooms with closed

windows; excessive heat in some areas with boilers running " out of

control " at maximum temperature; and some exposure of

asbestos-containing pipes in the boiler room.

" There is a lot of dirt existing in the building, " concluded the

district report. " The problems noted in the school are consistent

with other workplaces that have not been well maintained over a number

of years, " the union report stated. But Wallace said that " there is a

lot of conjecture " in those findings.

A March 18 memorandum sent by the Division of Environmental Health

of the Nassau Health Department recommended corrective action, but

stated that based on their findings " there is no reason that the school

cannot be used. " Pecorale said that " they need to pass a bond issue

to deal with a whole bunch of issues, and Washington Rose is just one

of them. " Repair costs districtwide had been previously estimated at

about $25 million.

Copyright 1998, Newsday Inc.

Study: Repair Elementary Concern / Health officials say Roosevelt school can

operate despite decay..