Madison Metropolitan School District
Long Range Planning Committee
Chávez Elementary School
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Update
October 9, 2002
Prior to the start of the school year we anticipated that we might have continued questions related to the air quality at Chávez. We communicated this to staff and parents in a letter sent in mid August.
Since the reopening of the school we have taken extra-ordinary steps to follow-up on any concerns that came to our attention and we have proactively monitored the air quality of the building. We have not formally communicated with parents and staff on mold related problems, as there has been no evidence of a problem.
Specifically:
- All health concerns since the start of the school year that have been reported to the Principal, Mr. Fried, have been investigated. We have confirmed this with Mr. Fried.
- We are continuing to utilize recommended steps from the EPA, Tools for Schools, in investigating environmental concerns. As we are truly sensitive to all environmental concerns at Chávez, since the start of school, we have made 7 IAQ visits and follow-ups as requested by Mr. Fried and the staff. In all cases the results of the investigation were communicated to Mr. Fried.
- We are continuing to monitor the air quality in certain areas of the building as part of our investigation into specific concerns with a portable machine. This includes VOCs, formaldehyde, and humidity levels. The portable machine is also being moved around the building to identify any potential problems. To-date no problems have been detected.
- We experienced a leak in the cafeteria on Friday Morning, October 4th. Staff was already on site when the leak occurred and took immediate steps to remedy the problem. The leak was not associated with the roof proper, but due to a crack in the caulk around some conduits that penetrate the roof.
- Specific to mold related issues, to-date no problems have been detected and no visible signs of mold have been reported (except for some materials that were brought in from outside of the building.) Part of the protocol on IAQ follow-up, is to conduct visual inspections of areas in question, which has been done. To-date no visible mold has been found. On Friday morning, October 4th, two district building services employees conducted an additional site visit to determine if any visible mold was present in the two kindergarten rooms, none was found.
- Humidity monitoring was addressed as part of the reconstruction. We are committed to maintain humidity at 60% or lower; this goal has been difficult w/ 95% humidity levels outside and rain; even so, we have maintained readings in the return air from the classrooms between 50-70%. We continue to monitor humidity levels and we are seeing readings between 30-40% lower that outside air.
- We are utilizing Honeywell technicians to investigate the operation of mechanical elements as part of our investigation process. Honeywell technicians advise us that the Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning systems are working properly.
- We are in the process of pulling together all of our documentation of steps that have been taken since the start of the school year. A number of reports are just now available to be printed and will be included on the school district's Internet web site.
- We have made contact with an additional outside expert for review of the steps we have taken to-date. He witnessed no evidence of mold in a walk thru of the facility on Friday October 4th. He submitted the following feedback to the district:
Mr. Price and Mr. Pearson:
This email will serve as a document to show that on Friday, October 4, 2002,
I reviewed the current situation at the Chávez Elementary school, as well as
the past procedures regarding the dealing with mold contaminants in the
school.
I am of the professional opinion that the current situation at the school is
well within department of commerce code compliance with regard to exposure
to regulated substances and building air quantity and quality. My review of
the past procedures the district took to rid the school of mold contaminants
revealed that the processes were in line with generally accepted practices
for mold contamination.
I believe that the district did everything reasonably necessary to rid the
school of those contaminants, and followed the advice of reputable
industrial hygiene and engineering consultants. The district continues to
evaluate reasonable claims of air quality concerns throughout the district.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Tom Pritchett, CAIH
Senior Industrial Hygienist
Public Sector Safety & Health Section
Division of Safety & Buildings
Department of Commerce
- In the communications to staff members in August they were advised of their options for transfer under their contract. We never advised anyone that they must transfer. We have worked with the employee's representative, Madison Teachers Incorporated (MTI), to provide opportunities into the fall, beyond what the contract provides, for any staff member who may wish to transfer.
Roger Price
Assistant Superintendent Business Services
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