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This high school has mold - a protest is scheduled outside the school Monday, 9/24/07; while school officials are denying the mold can harm health.
This high school has mold - teachers have been described as fighting the mold battle for 8 years; parents are worried, a private toxicologist has tested the school and issued a disturbing report about toxic mold, some students and teachers are exceedingly ill, and a protest is scheduled outside the school this week; while school officials are denying the mold can harm health.
PRESS RELEASE
What: Student Protest/Rally Against School Mold
Where: Westview High School, Hwy 45E (Elm Street), Martin
TennesseeWhen: 7:00am, Monday, September 24, 2007
Questions: Carol Hinman xxx-xxx-xxxx
(SMH note: if you wish to contact this parent by email, please email us at
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)
STUDENTS TAKE ACTION - VIRULENT MOLD IS MAKING THEM SICK
Martin, Tennessee Parents and a doctor have removed a student from
school, allergies and cold-like symptoms are rampant, one student
was observed wheezing for breath at his locker.
Westview High School has a serious MOLD problem and little or no
action has been taken. Parental inquiries have been ignored and
teachers have been ordered to avoid the issue or deny the
allegations. A law suit is being considered.
Pictures taken by the students show the mold in the ceiling tiles,
airflow vents, and the cafeteria where students still eat every
day. Not so obvious, and of great concern, is the extent of the
mold beyond the visual evidence.
Westview students have had enough! Monday, September 24, beginning
at 7:15am, members of the Senior Class will lead several dozen
students, parents and concerned citizens in the long tradition of
voicing concerns and opinions through public protest. Along with
traditional signs, students will distribute information about mold
and the school's mold problem to parents and students arriving for
school.
Several Students and Parents will be available for interviews
media will find parking at the Martin Soccer field lot (Recreation
Center) just North of the school.
Part of an email from a Westview parent (she removed her son from
school):
Thank you for being an involved parent! I hope there are many more
out there!! We have stood alone for a long time on this. You have
my blessing on the students' protest. I have called my lawyer and
informed him of this. You don't know how much my husband and I would
like to be there! At this point, I must speak with my lawyer on
participating.
[My son] was suppose to participate in [Nurse Camp] that entire
week. Instead he was entering the hospital that day for surgery to
have a Porta Cath inserted into his chest for treatment which he is
still on daily. He has had a needle and medport in his chest 24/7
since June 18. I pray parents will get informed about mold and it's
horrible effects.
Part of an email from a Westview Teacher:
Thank you for your concern. I hope many parents/ students arrive at
school, especially after the news of the report I just received. I
have been so tired of fighting this battle for 8 years and am so
thankful to now have help. God does answer prayers-not always in
our time frame, but his.
I will not get anything out of my storeroom, won't even open the
door until something is done correctly. I am anxiously awaiting
Monday. Lee Elliott [student] and [several teachers] are so sick
that I am really concerned and who knows who else is suffering in
silence. Maybe at last our voices will be heard.
ABOUT MOLD
According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly all chronic sinus infections
(37 million Americans) are a result of molds.
A 300% increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years has been
linked to molds.
Illnesses caused by mold exposure:
- worsening of allergies
- respiratory problems
- fever
- nasal and sinus congestion
- burning and watering eyes
- worsening of asthma
- coughing
- sore throat
- flu-like symptoms
- skin irritation
- headaches
In some cases, toxic mold exposure is alleged to have caused the
following serious consequences:
- memory loss
- brain damage
- death
- suppression of immune system
- bleeding in the lungs
David Hinman
General Manager
WLJT-TV/DT
Related TV News Story:
Mold Concerns At Martin, TN School
http://www.wpsdtv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=4CC84919-FCC6-41C8-A874-4F6A262CFFA6&gsa=true
Reported by: Todd Faulkner
Email:
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Last Update: 9/14 6:38 pm
Mold Concerns At Martin, TN School
A mold problem in a local high school is causing concern.
Some parents at West View High School in Martin, Tennessee, say the mold has them worried about their children's health.
School officials are taking measures to address the problem.
Meantime, experts are cautioning people to get educated about mold before drawing conclusions.
"It's something to be concerned about until it's cleaned up but nothing to get frustrated about" said Helen Jackson.
Helen Jackson is talking about the mold found inside this high school in Martin, Tennessee.
One of her children and later a grandchild graduated from this school.
Jackson says talk of mold in classrooms and hallways is troubling.
Some parents whose children go to Westview High School contacted NewsChannel 6 over concerns about mold inside the school. The Director of Schools, Richard Barber says in early August a group of parents spoke with him about concerns over mold. A group went in the school and tested specific areas where mold was located. Those test results haven't come back. In the meantime, efforts have been made to clean the school, including washing down hallways, doors, even lockers.
"Mold is now the current hot topic," said Steve Stamper of Stamper Environmental.
Steve Stamper is a 20 year veteran of identifying mold, and getting rid of it.
He says people simply don't understand mold.
"The misconceptions can go both ways. Either people are scared to death because of things they've heard in the media or they think it's no big deal" said Stamper.
Stamper says the trick is discovering what kind of mold homeowners, schools or businesses have and treating it.
"Just because you see mold doesn't necessarily mean it's a health problem at that point," said Stamper.
Westview is a fairly new school, but the issue still has people like Helen thinking twice.
"It's scary but you got to think about it, as long as that school has been there, it can't be anything that's real harmful." said Jackson.
Stamper Environmental is not involved in the mold clean up at Westview High School.
We can tell you the Director of Schools says parents have no reason to worry about their student's health.
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