New School for Arts and Sciences in Hunts Point - In area with highest asthma rates

[Guest guest]

Thursday March 21 03:26 AM EST

BRONX PARENTS INSIST SCHOOL CLEAR THE AIR

By CARL CAMPANILE

Parents at a South Bronx high school charge their kids are getting sick

because of unacceptable levels of dust and mold.

" It's not fair that we, as students, are forced to learn under these

conditions, " said Cross, a sophomore at the New School for Arts and

Sciences in Hunts Point.

The school, at 730 Ave., is in an industrial area with one of the

city's highest asthma rates, said Parent Association President Carmen

Maldonado.

An inspector who surveyed the air for parents found " excessive

contamination, " including " elevated mold and bacteria levels. "

The PTA, in conjunction with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy

Coalition, hired a technician to test the air in January.

" Overall, the air quality in the areas tested inside the New School for Arts

and Sciences is not good, " said ce Molloy, a federally certified air

inspector.