Mold at Sandburg undergoing tests

[Guest guest]

--------------------

Study sniffing out school health woes

--------------------

Mold at Sandburg undergoing tests

By Morales

Tribune staff reporter

February 14, 2002

An interim report by environmental consultants for Consolidated High School

District 230 points to a variety of factors that may have prompted health

complaints from teachers and students at Sandburg High School in Palos

Township.

District 230 spokesman Jim Sibley said Wednesday the report by Boelter and

Yates of Park Ridge found ventilation and boiler problems that might have

caused complaints of headaches, nausea, itchiness and rashes, and mold found

in a science lab has resulted in that room being closed and the class being

moved to another location.

Ongoing renovation work at Sandburg has prompted health complaints from 60

students and teachers to the school's nurse. Boelter and Yates is examining

those complaints in an effort to pinpoint potential problem areas, according

to Bob Livingston of the consulting firm.

" There are no standards or regulatory guidelines for mold concentrations, "

Livingston said. " We found mold in the science lab, and [Principal Mike]

Mecozzi decided immediately to close the room off. "

Mecozzi could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Jena Welliever, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health,

said, " We have to be invited into a school if mold is found. " She added the

department has an advisory role in mold remediation and that when Boelter

and Yates produces its final report, the department will review its

recommendations.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, all forms of mold

have the potential to cause health problems and can produce allergens that

may trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks in people allergic to mold.

Tests are under way to determine if mold is present in other areas where

water stains have been found at Sandburg, Livingston said. Workers will

identify the mold type and concentration and recommend the appropriate remed

iation method, Livingston said. He added it could be a month before a final

report is ready.

Sibley said the report by Boelter and Yates, based on studies between Dec.

17 and Jan. 31, found:

Gas odors in the fitness center, north building and music-class areas were

caused by a combination of a short ventilation stack and an aging burner

system on a second-floor boiler. On Jan. 14, the stack was extended and a

valve assembly was replaced on the boiler. No reports of any " natural

gas-type " odors have been reported since, Sibley said.

Miscellaneous odors in the new building were caused by a plumbing vent

located near an air intake. The vent has been rerouted, and no such odors

have been reported in the east building.

Other measures being taken by school officials to reduce possible health

problems related to renovation and construction work at Sandburg include

installing an additional polyurethane barrier over the existing construction

barrier on the first and second floors to ensure a tight seal from the

demolition of the old media center. Asbestos abatement involving carpet and

ceiling tiles in that area is to be done after school hours.

Sandburg and District 230's other two high schools, in Tinley Park

and Stagg in Palos Hills, are in the final stages of a $143 million

renovation project begun in 1999, which has ballooned from an originally

estimated $118 million.

Classrooms, science labs, libraries, food courts, fitness centers,

performing arts centers and gymnasiums are being added to all three schools

under the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

Copyright © 2002, Chicago Tribune