Plainfield schools will get mold tests

March 31, 2002

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Small amounts found in 2 sites

By Ken O'Brien

Special to the Tribune

March 30, 2002

All 15 schools in Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 will

be tested for mold after small amounts were found in two buildings.

The school board ordered the tests this week. Aires Consulting Group Inc. of

Batavia will be paid $128,000 to conduct tests for mold, carbon monoxide,

nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide and radon.

Earlier in the school year, trace amounts of mold were found in Heritage

Grove Middle School after some pipes burst, said Assistant Supt.

Harper. Since then students and staff members have complained about

respiratory problems and unexplained allergies, which Harper said could be

related to the mold.

" As a result of the experience at Heritage Grove, we think it is important

to address [the mold issue] districtwide and to be as proactive as we can

and to provide assurances to our community that the schools are safe, " he

said.

Mold also was recently found in a closet in McBeth Early Learning Center

after a pipe burst. Drywall in the area has since been replaced.

Test results from a wall in Plainfield South High School are pending.

No one in McBeth or the high school has complained about health problems

that could be related to mold, Harper said.

" Our first priority is the people and some of the health-related effects

that are being reported at Heritage Grove, " he said.

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 reactions or asthma attacks.

After the Heritage Grove mold problems emerged, the district assembled an ad

hoc committee, including parents and the staff, to monitor the situation.

The committee recently recommended the school board hire Aires to do tests,

Harper said.

He said an Aires official explained the testing process to the committee

earlier this week, and the firm is to return April 9 to make some

recommendations for handling the situation. A schedule for districtwide

testing could be announced April 9, Harper said.

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