Amuso talks about mold

[Guest guest]

Amuso talks about mold

MARK D. MAROTTA, Staff Writer01/18/2006

http://www.thereporteronline.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=15949539 & BRD=2275 & PAG=461 & dept_id=466404 & rfi=6

Lansdale,PA

FRANCONIA – Souderton Area School District Superintendent

Amuso on Tuesday informed the West Broad Street Elementary home and

school association about a state health department visit to look

into a report of mold and bacteria.

Speaking before an audience of about 30 people‚ Amuso confirmed that

elevated levels of mold and bacteria had been found at West Broad

last year‚ but that the district had followed a consultant's

recommendations for remediation.

He said Judith Gostin‚ an industrial hygienist‚ had conducted a

visual inspection of the building earlier in the day. According to

Amuso‚ Gostin had said the building was generally clean and well-

kept‚ and that a mold problem discovered in July had been addressed.

When her report becomes available‚ Amuso said‚ it will be posted on

the district Web site. He added that Gostin will return to meet with

parents.

Amuso also said he had been in touch with the Environmental

Protection Agency‚ and a representative will talk to him about its

Tools for Schools program.

According to Amuso‚ Tools for Schools involves a team approach for

inspecting buildings‚ making recommendations and requesting

additional testing.

" That's part of our plan‚ " Amuso said.

Franconia Township resident Sherri said her second-grade

daughter‚ Lexi‚ was no longer attending West Broad because of the

possibility of something in the environment.

According to ‚ her daughter had suffered from various symptoms

such as itchy eyes‚ coughing and shortness of breath. The symptoms

disappeared after Lexi began going to Vernfield Elementary School

the week before Thanksgiving‚ said.

Meanwhile‚ added‚ her family received a letter on Aug. 29

that mold had been found in several classrooms at West Broad. While

subsequent testing showed mold spores to be at acceptable levels‚

gram negative bacilli was found‚ said. She added that

endotoxins associated with the bacteria are associated with

pulmonary disease.

" We're continuing to work with the administration‚ " said.

She added that she had asked for a study comparing the reasons why

children at West Broad and Vernfield visit the school nurse.

" I have concerns for both my children‚ " said Souderton resident

Kathleen Neely. She told the audience that her son suffers

nosebleeds‚ while her daughter has chronic headaches during the week.

Neely suggested having a questionnaire to ask about possible

symptoms among students. She also said she would like the

Environmental Protection Agency to conduct testing at West Broad.

" We just want to find out‚ if it is the school‚ what it is‚ " Neely

said. " Something is definitely going on. "

" It's a very important issue‚ " Amuso said. " I don't want any child

to go through the kind of thing you described Š It is critical that

we focus on the students' health. "

In response to questions from the audience‚ Amuso said the school's

ventilation system was cleaned‚ and filters replaced‚ on a quarterly

basis.

He added that the district did not have a schedule for testing air

quality in its buildings‚ but did so when a problem was indicated.

Amuso said he was " perfectly comfortable " that the school is safe.