SST (Something Stinks Topic) >> DISD Urged To Continue Inquiry Into Health Problems--Sewage Gases Seeping (Texas)

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Chemicals not found in school's air-- DISD urged to continue inquiry into health problems

02/26/2000 By Dane Schiller / The Dallas Morning News

Investigators hired by the Dallas school district say they found no hazardous chemicals in the air at Moises Molina High School, and they're calling for the district to take further steps to determine what is causing health problems.

The conclusions and recommendations from Cole-McDonald Environmental Consulting Inc. are contained in a report released Friday.

The investigators said there may be other substances affecting the school's air quality that they did not find in their probe. They recommended testing the air at the west Oak Cliff school for bacteria and viruses to find what could be triggering such reported ailments as headaches and burning eyes and noses.

The report also recommends that school officials check the heating and air conditioning systems and drains to determine if they could be contributing to the trouble.

Since October, school officials have been investigating two main environmental issues at the 3-year-old school: sewage gases that apparently have invaded the building, and the quality of air in top-floor classrooms.

Environmental scientist Howard Cole said that while he found nothing in his tests that would cause the ailments, problems still exist. He is satisfied no long-term health problems are being caused.

"There is some individual sensitivity to some agent in the building, but it could be perfume, plant life or a cleaning agent," he said.

"Different teachers have different problems. Some are getting headaches. Some are getting irritated eyes."

Associate Superintendent William Cotton said the district will review Mr. Cole's recommendations and is checking ventilation and other systems.

Parents have no need to worry, he said.

"We have been told by our medical doctor that it [the environment at the school] is not toxic and no kids are in danger," Mr. Cotton said.

Cynthia Goode, a spokeswoman for the Classroom Teachers of Dallas, said district officials need to push on with the investigation.

"There is something still going on in that building," she said. "I think it is the district's responsibility to make sure everyone who enters the building is safe.

"How can they continue to say something is safe when they do not know what they are looking for?"

The Texas Department of Health is also looking at the school.

Ken McBride of Arlington, head of the state agency's toxic substances control division, said among the issues school officials have considered is whether sewer vents and fresh-air intake vents for the school are too close together.

"It is disagreeable," Mr. McBride said of the sewer odor. "Do you do your best work when you are sitting next to a pile of dung? It is distracting."

Sewage gas apparently has been seeping into the building, school officials have said. The city recently installed a device to redirect much of the sewer gas that had been flowing through pipes leading to the school.

Officials have cranked open air vents and worked on computerized gauges that may have affected the flow of fresh air.

Parents, teachers and students said they have suffered headaches, nausea, dizziness and other symptoms that they attribute to something in the environment.

"Everybody says it is harmless. I am a perfect example of it being harmful," said one teacher who has missed school over the problem and asked not to be identified.

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-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 27, 2000

Answers

Dee, just want to say thanks for being one of those who spends your time searching for posts for us. It is appreciated.

-- tt (cuddluppy@aol.com), February 27, 2000.

Yes, all you AHS kids know who this is!

When my children were "attending" a certain high school in SE harris County, there was a long period of time-like a couple of years-when parts of the school were hung with construction plastic. Never thought about it. "Renovations" were in progress. After the younger child graduated, I found out the reovations were asbestos removal. Won't talk about the time the sewage backed up into the swimming pool and the team had a few problems.

We call this education reform. I call it survival of the fittest, and I sure hope students, teachers and parents in this time frame fall into category "fittest". Teachers filed a suit but never heard anything after a slight ripple.

-- Mom (Mom@Houston.com), February 27, 2000.


Thank you for your comments tt, and Mom.

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 27, 2000.

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