Mold concerns close school

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Mold concerns close school

By RACHEL CANELLI

Bucks County Courier Times

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-02082006-609818.html

phillyburbs.com

Bristol Township Schools - Buchanan Elementary School in

Bristol Township is closed for the week because mold may be causing

a musty odor in the building, district officials confirmed Tuesday

morning.

School authorities said they're waiting for a local environmental

company's test results before they decide what to do next.

The problem surfaced few weeks ago, when a section of the school's

roof started leaking in the front hallway, according to

Superintendent Regina Cesario.

The roof was patched by Professional Roof Services of Middletown,

Del., according to district officials. But that wing was left with

a " musty and unacceptable " smell that worsened after Saturday's

rain, Cesario said.

Intech Environmental Consulting Inc. of Newtown Township

performed " air quality testing and [took] surface samples " Tuesday

to determine if there is a mold problem, district officials said.

Cesario said she expects the test results today, but added that

administrators believe the odor is " definitely related to water

damage from the leaky roof. "

In the meantime, the district decided to close the school on Haines

Road for the remainder of the week " to better assess the situation,

and in the best interest of students and staff, " Cesario said.

District officials said they're unsure how long the situation would

take to rectify since they don't know what's causing it. The

superintendent said the district is exploring options, including

portable classrooms or temporarily sending the 453 students to other

district schools.

" We're trying to get the [odor problem] removed as soon as

possible, " Cesario said. " People have been complaining about the

smell, but it seems to be only in that front part [of the building.] "

Over the past two years, the district had a mold problem in the

heating system of Maple Shade Elementary School, Cesario said. That

was fixed over a weekend, she said.

Students, who were in school Tuesday, were sent home with letters

explaining the situation, the superintendent said. A phone chain

will be set up for school administrators to update parents, Cesario

said. Families can also tune in to cable Channel 15, or call the

district at 215-943-3200 with questions, she said.

About mold

Exposure to mold can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye

irritation, wheezing or skin irritation. More severe reactions

include fever and shortness of breath. Moisture problems in school

buildings can be caused by roof and plumbing leaks, condensation and

excess humidity.

Canelli can be reached at 215-949-4191 or

rcan.

February 8, 2006 4:15 AM