Portable Classrooms in the Saugus Union School District

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The Daily News of Los Angeles

September 11, 1999

" Who's right on Portables? State's Findings Challenge Toxicologist's

Conclusions

By: Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

The Saugus Union School District spent more than $ 300,000 in testing

portable classrooms linked to some chronic illnesses - and came up with

nothing, according to a memo from the superintendent.

The testing by outside contractors came after blood and urine tests from at

least two dozen children and teachers showed chemical contamination from

substances used in the manufacture of portable buildings.

Tests on a teacher and a few children also showed a toxic mold in their

lungs, one that in other parts of the country and Canada has been found in

the relocatable classrooms, according to reports by a nonprofit group based

in Washington, D.C., that monitors indoor air quality.

Most of the medical information came from Dr. Ordog, head of toxicology

for Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, whose findings were dismissed by

the state Department of Health Services.

''The highest health authority in the state of California has determined

that Dr. Ordog's methods are inappropriate and meaningless,'' Wickstrom

wrote in a memo issued Thursday afternoon.

Indeed, a health department report issued last month invalidated Ordog's

findings.

Ordog was vacationing this week and was unavailable for comment.

But in past interviews with the Daily News, Ordog and pediatricians who

referred patients to him defended the testing and noted that several

laboratories across the country had handled blood and urine specimens and

reported similar conclusions.

Ordog also has said that his best evidence is that children and teachers who

have suffered chronic headaches, nausea, dizziness and other symptoms have

recovered as soon as they take extensive breaks from their portable

classrooms. Furthermore, chemicals that his testing show are in his

patients' blood streams are identical to those listed on manufacturers'

labeling.

The state Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, in

fact, recognize that portable classrooms have problems with air quality.

Since the health complaints, the Saugus district has implemented the state's

Tools for Schools program, which trains school staffers to properly

ventilate portables and to ensure that venting systems are clean.