School's mold, air tests intensify

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School's mold, air tests intensify

VAIL RANCH MIDDLE: At least two teachers say they were diagnosed

with pulmonary fibrosis.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_News_Local_S_smold07

..1892ba5e.html

02:17 AM PDT on Wednesday, June 7, 2006

By CLAUDIA BUSTAMANTE and JOHN ASBURY

The Press-Enterprise

Riverside,CA

TEMECULA - Air quality tests are continuing this week at Vail Ranch

Middle School to determine the cause of some teachers' respiratory

problems, school officials said.

Campus educators said they have been complaining about the

maintenance of a portable classroom for years.

At least two teachers who worked in the same portable classroom said

they were diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis, a scarring of lungs

that can be terminal.

Initial testing in April showed that mold presence, a common

biological contaminant, was average, interim Superintendent Carol

Leighty said.

After learning about the teachers' conditions, the district went

back for more testing, Leighty added.

While testing continues for different kinds of mold and

formaldehyde, and to check on the general air quality throughout the

campus, the district is searching for an environmental physician to

analyze the results of the tests.

Leighty said testing might be completed by the end of this week.

" We're very concerned about our teachers who have become ill. We

don't know why they have these problems or if there's any relation

to their environment, " Board President Barbara Tooker said.

The district sent home a letter to parents of Vail Ranch students

and contacted all district principals.

Leighty said no children are believed to have environment-related

illnesses..

The portable classroom that has raised concerns has been empty for

about two months, since before testing began.

" It's almost scary for me to find these things out. I've got kids in

some of these classes, " said Wixom, Vail Ranch teacher.

The district has replaced some of the ceiling tiles in the portables

and air filters, and filled in holes, Wixom said.

" Once they found out, they were right on it and tried to find some

answers, " he said.

Wixom said he hopes the new tests will yield more information.

" In my heart of hearts, I'm hoping my school isn't making anyone

sick, " Wixom said.

Reach Bustamante at 951-375-3740 or cbustamante@...

Reach Asbury at 951-375-3732 or jasbury@...