Crews test air quality at Knox Co. middle school after mold allegations

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Crews test air quality at Knox Co. middle school after mold

allegations

Crews test air quality at Knox Co. middle school after mold

allegations

http://www.wate.com/global/story.asp?s=4416648

" She kind of feels nauseous and she just feels so fatigued she can't

keep her head up. " Ida Randall says about her 12-year old daughter.

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January 26, 2006

By AMELIA GRAHAM

6 News Reporter

KNOX COUNTY (WATE) -- Crews are testing the air quality at West

Valley Middle School after a student became so sick she was removed

from the classroom.

West Valley was only built seven years ago. While it doesn't have

all of the problems an older school might have, a parent says mold

is making her child ill.

" Her chest gets tight. Her nose starts to run. Her throat's

bothering her. She kind of feels nauseous and she just feels so

fatigued she can't keep her head up. " Ida Randall says about her 12-

year old daughter, is a seventh grader at West Valley.

She says the symptoms started in October. " We've been to the

pediatrician. We've had blood work done and chest X-rays and sinus X-

rays and there's nothing wrong with her. "

" Basically something down there in that environment is bothering

her. " By " down there, " Randall means the seventh grade wing. It runs

below the main level of the school.

When Principal Dr. learned of 's problems, he

moved her to the library on the main level.

also called the county maintenance crew. " They came out and

ran a few preliminary tests and didn't really find anything out of

the ordinary. Everything was within acceptable limits, " he says.

With no permanent solution, Ida Randall took matters into her own

hands. " I did some research on the Internet and I found this Pro-Lab

Mold test kit. They actually sell them at Home Depot, so I went down

into the area right after school and swabbed some of the area, some

of the dust they had told me was in the area. "

The results showed two types of mold exist in the seventh grade

wing. The test did not determine the concentration or species of the

mold, which is what can make a common mold harmful.

At Randall's request, the principal had an air quality test

performed Thursday. It may take seven to nine days before they get

the results.

In the meantime, will remain on the main level to continue

her studies.