Marina High teachers hope solution to foul odor (dirty sock) is found

February 15, 2001

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Thursday, February 15, 2001

News from Huntington Beach in the Times Community Newspapers

Marina High teachers hope solution to foul odor is found

Huntington Beach Union High School District is awaiting air quality test

results to determine next step.

By ANGELIQUE FLORES

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Teachers with classrooms in portables at Marina High

School are hopeful the Huntington Beach Union High School District will

remedy their problems soon.

" Since I've been in the portables, my allergies have been killing me, "

said teacher Marshall.

According to an indoor air quality report by Machado Environmental

Corporation taken in March, Marshall's classroom is one of the four that has

a sporadic odor described as " dirty socks. " The tests found species of

alternaria, penicillium and aspergillus in four portable rooms. These fungi

are known to produce toxins -- and species of aspergillus can be

infectious -- especially to anyone with a weak immune system.

" The odor bothers me and what it might be doing [to me] bothers me, "

teacher Dave Okura said.

Consultants indicated in the report the odor was coming from mold and

bacteria growing in certain parts of Rooms 255, 256, 257 and 258 caused by

water damage from leaks.

Marshall said the leaks have been there for as long as he's been at the

school. One teacher even has his own air filter in the classroom.

" I expect my kid to be safe when she goes to school, " said parent

Denyse Scarberry.

The district is completing recommendations made by another consultant

in December. Leaky roofs are being patched up, and sinks have been inspected

and cleaned. The heating and air conditioning units have been serviced, and

filters were cleaned. The air intake was adjusted. The carpet in the

portables will be replaced with tile over spring break.

Teachers have noticed an improvement in the odor since the district has

come in for repairs.

" They need to replace the portables, " Marshall said.

The district's limited maintenance budget makes it difficult for them

to keep up the 28-year-old portables, district officials say.

The district is awaiting results from an air quality test taken last

week to see what more can be done.

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