Virgina Shuman Young Elementary - Mold and Mildew Return

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http://www.wsvn.com/news/local/box4/

School fumes

Posted: August 30, 2001 10:16 PM

Reporter: Sharron Melton

(WSVN) Several students getting sick at school, and parents say it's part of

an on-going problem. One that forced several classrooms to be evacuated,

just days after the new school year began.

It's a model school in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. But some parents say

it's been making their kids sick for years.

It's scary, it's dangerous, and it's an unsafe, and unhealthy concern.

Classes are already underway here at Virgina Shuman Young Elementary, but

unfortunately three classrooms are not in use. And this is the reason why.

Mold and mildew found on the walls, some three years ago. And though school

officials say it's been fixed, teachers and students are still getting sick.

So what's the problem?

Jerry Graziose, School Safety Director said " It appeared that primer sealer

had been used on the plaster. They had put a layer of plaster, and there was

primer sealer.. it didn't look like it was properly painted. The coats of

semi-gloss paint appeared not to be there. "

Over the summer, a number of classrooms were renovated. But, two days after

school started, everyone in three of the rooms was moved out. They haven't

been back since.

, Concerned Parent said " I have a younger child. Her room is the

worst room. Her room was the room they discovered this gas smell. "

Three years ago at this same school, an environmental study found a high

concentration of mold. At the time, students were forced to move to other

classrooms.

Today, doctors say if the problem is not fixed it could lead to long-term

health problems.

Dr. Albert Robbins, Environmental Physician said " Even if you never have had

allergies in the past.. you might sniffle, you might cough, you might get

headaches, skin rashes and you might develop respiratory infections. "

Someone suggested cleaning the rooms more often, here's recurring colds,

allergies, runny nose, sore throat.

Parents say that what is happening now is exactly the same thing that

occurred three years ago. But the school system says it's taking even more

steps to remedy the problem.

Well we continue to monitor. The principal is well aware, if she has a

concern we respond immediately.

Even so, parents believe more should be done. And they want something done

before their children get any worse.

Lima Auclair, Concerned Parent said,

" I think they need to correct it, obviously. Find the problem, and correct

it right away. Well, if they didn't complete the process, why did they think

the children were safe to go back in the rooms. It wasn't done, it wasn't

finished. Finish it. "

the classrooms will be closed until next week, to see if the repairs are

working.

in the meantime, one parent has already filed a lawsuit, against the Broward

county school system.

(Copyright 2001 Sunbeam Television Corp. .)