Letter to the Editor - The Arizona Republic

June 21, 1999

Reporter L. is to be commended for the excellent coverage of

Camp Verde Elementary's battle with sick building syndrome. All too often,

people (including doctors)are ignorant of the health hazards posed by indoor

air contaminants. Victims are treated for sinus and upper respiratory

infections or migraine headaches rather than being removed from the toxins.

Later, when they develop auto-immune diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome,

multiple chemical sensitivity or fibromyalgia, they are treated for those

diseases while they remain exposed to the toxins. Finally, some of them are

treated for breast or brain cancer and usually become so ill, they remove

themselves from the toxins, but by then it is far too late and their health

is destroyed. As the moderator of a support/information group for victims

of indoor air toxins (onelist), I can assure you that most

people are not interested in suing their employer or building owner, they

simply want access to informed medical providers and a safe place to work.

One of the main toxins found in schools and buildings with sick inhabitants

is the toxic mold, stachybotrus. This mold is implicated in the deaths of

numerous infants and a study is underway to determine if it is a component

in SIDS. Stachybotrus usually establishes itself in a building that has

been flooded or has chronic roof leaks that go unrepaired. It thrives on

wet cellulose and, once it has made a home in a building, it is very, very

difficult to eradicate.

I hope the District will use their grant from Students FIRST wisely and put

" building a healthy, environmentally sound school " at the top of their list.

The money they spend now to hire an environmental consultant to provide

input into the school's design and maintenance plan will pay off for years

in lower rates of asthma, allergies and illness.

I urge the parents of Camp Verde to get involved in the process by learning

all you can about indoor air quality and the basics of building safe

schools. Let the district know you consider indoor air quality and healthy

students, teachers and staff to be a top priority. You'll be glad you did.

Barbara Herskovitz

bherk@...

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