Sunset School's Problem IAQ History

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http://www.codyenterprise.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail & doc=/2001/March/

07-1247-news3.txt

March 07, 2001

Sunset air cleaner with filter regimen

By JOSH KING

Since Sunset School's filters began to be changed at six-week intervals at

the beginning of the year, less gray dust appears to be accumulating in in

the classrooms. " But whether people's symptoms are any better, I don't

know, " Colorado environmental hygienist Joe Boatman says. Boatman has been

monitoring dust levels at the school and says present levels are low.

Several Sunset staffers and students have complained in the past of sinus

problems and watery eyes. The continued exhibition of similar symptoms

prompted Cody School District trustees to make changes. One Sunset parent

noted his two children had recently stopped exhibiting symptoms.

" The symptoms are gone, " parent Mark Garrison says. " The changes have made a

huge difference. "

Monteith noted the district " seem to be making headway. " " The school

district is proceeding in an organized fashion, " Boatman says.

Mold suspected of growing on the air filters was also identified as a

possible cause of the problems. The filters were sent to Maxim Technologies

in Billings to be analyzed for mold.

Superintendent Monteith said the district received the lab results

last week. The information was forwarded for interpretation to Boatman, who

had not received the lab results as of Monday.

Radon testing for all district schools " is in the works " and expected to be

conducted before the end of this school year, Monteith noted. Ultraviolet

lights and an ozone generator have not been implemented at this point.

The lights and generator would sterilize mold spores. An ozone generator is

estimated to cost about $1,000 and four ultraviolet lights will cost about

$4,000. " Obviously things are not going to happen overnight, " Boatman says.

http://www.codyenterprise.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail & doc=/2001/April/

25-1711-news1.txt

April 25, 2001

Once dust, now mold, bothers Sunset

By JOSH KING

Sunset School harbors airborne mold particles in concentrations capable of

triggering flu-like symptoms in at least one classroom. Results from a

biological air test at Sunset revealed a fourth grade classroom in the north

wing has a mold concentration exceeding outside levels. " Many people are

affected by (mold) colonies that high, " says air quality expert Joe Boatman

of Boulder, Colo.

Deanne teaches in that room. " That makes me nervous, " she said at a

recent school board meeting. " How safe are we? "

Connie Sondeno teaches in the adjacent classroom. She has complained of cold

symptoms such as a running nose and watery eyes. Sondeno asked trustees

whether the district considers transfers based on health issues.

Monteith said the issue will be taken under review.

Cody School Board trustees are not taking the findings lightly.

Board members plan to institute three recommendations expected to reduce

mold populations 50-70 percent.

The east and north wings of the school were prone to the highest mold

concentrations, Boatman notes.

The finding is consistent with a " dirty sock " smell that has been noticed by

staffers near the junction of the east and north wings, he wrote in a letter

to Superintendent Monteith.

But Boatman said the problem can't be " eliminated " until the source is

located.

The building was inspected twice this month, but the source remains hidden.

" There are places you just can't see, " Boatman said. A " seeing " device

similar to equipment used in orthoscopic surgery may be inserted into a

small hole drilled in the wall to search for mold colonies.

Boatman recommended using a sanitizing agent when cleaning the carpets,

treating the air with an ozone generator and purchasing ultraviolet lamps to

use in the four air handlers to " remediate " the problem.

The lights and ozone generator would sterilize mold spores. Boatman plans to

purchase an ozone generator estimated to cost about $1,000 to rent to the

district.

Purchasing four ultraviolet lamps will cost about $4,000. Staffers would

not be able to enter the school during weekends when the ozone generator is

expected to be used.

Boatman notes the recommendations treat the symptoms of the problem, but do

not target its root. Mold is everywhere there is " cellulose " or paper-based

material and moisture, he said.

The gym and Ann Soltero's third grade classroom also had high

concentrations of mold. But the levels did not exceed air tested outside.

The results found mold concentrations to be significantly lower in Gail

Terry's first and second grade classroom, Sandy Klomparens' fifth grade room

and fifth grade teacher Galagan's classroom. The media center also

was tested. The finding revealed mold concentrations to be minimal.

Based on a prior recommendation from Boatman, trustees authorized in January

the air filters at Sunset to be changed every six weeks rather than at

three-month intervals.

http://www.codyenterprise.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail & doc=/2002/June/1

9-4931-news1.txt

June 19, 2002

Sunset clean-up tabs ducts

By JULIETTE RULE

Trustees hope that cleaning heating ducts will help Sunset School students,

staffers and parents breathe easier.

" It's never been recommended that we clean the ducts, " Superintendent

Monteith said. " But if this helps put people's minds at ease maybe it's a

bona fide expense for the board. "

To afford to clean the ducts, the district's list of major maintenance

projects was re-prioritized and presented at Monday's school board meeting.

(See related story.)

Since the early 1990s, dust and mold have plagued Sunset School, earning it

the dire diagnosis of " sick building syndrome. " Staffers have complained the

dirty air causes runny noses, itchy eyes, sinusitis, headaches and sore

joints during the school year.

Abatement efforts have included the installation of " hospital-grade " air

filters, new vacuum cleaner bags and ozone treatments. All have failed to

remedy the problem.

" Anything I think they can do to get rid of the ongoing problem up there is

a good thing, " parent Mark Garrison said. " I'm glad to hear it. "

He has two daughters at Sunset and both suffer from allergies during the

school year, he says. Teachers and parents long have suggested that

cleaning the heating duct system could clear the air, but that's not been

suggested by the professionals.

Monteith said when he asked a Worland-based cleaning company to examine the

ducts and determine if they should be cleaned and at what cost, the

company's representative asked why he thought the ducts needed to cleaned.

" The dust (inside the ducts) is not heavy, " Monteith said.

A start date for that project has not been set, but the project would have

to be completed before school resumes. Only specially outfitted

professionals will be allowed in the building because the work is a health

hazard.