Elementary School mold-free for now; more tests to follow

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February 21, 2002

mold-free for now; more tests to follow

By Cirillo/Staff writer

For kids, parents and staff at Elementary School, there is good

news; or at the very least, there is yet to be bad news.

Preliminary tests at the school performed by Carnow, Conibear and Associates

(CCA) have not turned up any signs of mold.

" We are still exploring the mold issue, " said CCA hygienist Dobby.

" However, there's not a whole lot more to do on the mold. "

CCA is testing carpet dust as a final mold test, Dobby said. These tests

should be completed soon.

CCA president Shirley Conibear and Dobby met with staff Feb. 14 to

share the preliminary results of the testing, said District 303 spokesperson

Tom . In addition to the mold findings, CCA also told the staff

that the asbestos at has been handled properly, the well water is

safe, the pesticide program has met state standards and the cancer rate is

consistent with the normal population, said.

Dobby said CCA also tested for carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. CCA did

not find carbon monoxide, but did find elevated levels of carbon dioxide in

two classrooms, he said.

" That's the result of not enough fresh air coming into the classroom, " Dobby

said.

CCA will conduct more tests, which Dobby said will take several weeks. The

consultants are continuing to look at well water, septic tanks and the

historical uses of the school property and surrounding properties. Dobby

said research so far has found a few landfills and underground storage tanks

in the area. CCA is checking state records to see if any of those sites have

had problems, such as leakage, in the past.

CCA is also using a questionnaire form to ask parents and staff if they have

had health problems they think may be related to the building. Conibear

announced the use of the form at a meeting with parents Feb. 13.

Many parents were concerned that the form was to be kept at the school

office instead of being sent home.

" They keep sending home dumb little notices every day, " said ,

who has two children at . " Why can't they send this home? "

In response, those forms were sent home to parents Feb. 15, said.

Conibear said the form was a starting point for gathering information. She

is working on a more specific and targeted questionnaire.

" This is a work in progress, " she said.

Conibear said she has also worked with the two school nurses at to

gather data.

Several staff members raised health concerns about respiratory problems and

cancer rates at the school in December, said. District 303

responded by hiring CCA, agreeing to pay them up to $5,000 for initial

testing. Testing started Jan. 28.