Parents File Complaint with Office of Civil Rights over Mold Illness (School battles mold)

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School battles mold

Doniger, Staff Writer February 20, 2002

For reasons as seemingly innocuous as leaking roofs, flat roofs and the

proliferation of carpets in public places, toxic mold is gaining an

unprecedented stranglehold in buildings across America.

Schools - with their often-inadequate budgets for maintenance such as roof

repair, their frequent use of low-cost building materials, and occasionally

their proximity to wetlands - are particularly prone to indoor air quality

problems resulting from mold spores.

The problems, which have been prevalent in several Connecticut communities,

now have struck in Trumbull. Several children at Tashua Elementary School

have experienced severe health problems as an apparent result of exposure to

mold.

Two sets of parents whose children were affected severely have filed a

complaint with the federal Office of Civil Rights about the matter.

This in turn sparked the school district to order two studies. One was

conducted by AMC of Stratford, a licensed industrial hygienist, which

indicated " minor problems " that were corrected immediately, according to

School Supt. Ralph Iassogna.

The OCR complaint also led to a subsequent, more extensive study on air

quality, particularly carpet samples, by Gil Cormier of Occupation Risk

Control Services, Inc.

Cormier collected samples of possible allergen sources, studied whether

adequate quantities of fresh outside air were being brought into classrooms,

and monitored the school for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other

potential toxins.

Carbon dioxide levels for two of 13 rooms that were monitored exceeded the

recommended level. The levels of fungal and bacterial spores in the carpet

dust samples were " typical of carpeting that has been reportedly exposed to

moisture or allowed to remain wet for several days, " according to the

report.

" The levels and types of fungal and bacterial spores in the carpet dust

samples could affect persons with allergies or sensitivities, " the report

states.

The report reveals that allergen levels ranged from low to very high, and

carpeting was identified as the biggest source.

Recommendations made

A set of 10 recommendations was provided, all of which either have been or

will be implemented, Iassogna said.

Iassogna wrote to Tashua parents and staff Sept. 26 and again Feb. 1 to

advise them of the findings.

" In reviewing Mr. Cormier's 10 recommendations, " he wrote, " please be

advised that we have already implemented and/or corrected the vast majority

of them (some even before receipt of the final report). "

Windows in each classroom are being opened periodically to bring in fresh

outdoor air, he said. Air filters have been installed in some classrooms.

Carpets in three regular classrooms and three specialist rooms have been

removed and replaced with vinyl tiles, he said, and two more rooms are being

tiled this week. The soft porous building material in the reading room,

including the fiberglass insulation and the wallboard area, has been

replaced.

Iassogna said the library rug also will be removed, most likely when school

concludes in June.

One recommendation was a meeting with parents, which took place Feb. 6.

Iassogna said 25 parents attended.

Findings show that while the levels of mold may cause an allergic reaction

in individuals who are highly allergic, said Iassogna, " at no time did this

pose an immediate health risk to students and staff. "

To support this claim, Iassogna said he has reviewed absentee rates at all

of Trumbull's elementary schools and found Tashua's levels are right in the

middle, with two schools higher and two schools lower.

He said the school district has been " open and above-board, and shared

information as it has become available. " However, he added, " In dealing with

children who are severely hypersensitive, I sometimes wonder if any school,

public or private, can provide the pristine environment they need.

" In the future, the government or the courts may have to get involved to

determine exactly what is required by the public or private sector. "

Students' rights affected

, spokesman for the OCR, confirmed the federal agency has

accepted the complaints of two Tashua families and is " attempting to work

with the school district to remediate the problems. "

said the OCR accepted the complaints because the problem affects

students' rights under Title 2 of the American with Disabilities Act and

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

In recognition of the growing concerns about allergens in school buildings,

OCR officials co-sponsored a conference on indoor air quality Oct. 16 in

Meriden with representatives from the Connecticut Education Association, the

state Department of Public Health, and the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency.

The meeting was attended by school administrators, staff, legislators,

members of the medical profession and other interested parties, he said.

said the OCR is expected to issue its findings next month.

©Hometown Publications 2002