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(SMH Note: We know of no damp or moldy school where the CDC has not been evasive and instead, identified the molds, acknowledging the health effects that have been associated in study after study. We see a clear pattern of evasion of the specifics that are available to the public, the IAQ industry and scientists studying these fungi. Already, the CDC is showing disappointing results in their preliminary statements.)
Oct. 18, 2007, 10:52PM
CDC finds mold at Houston school with air quality concerns
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5227235.html
© 2007 The Associated Press
HOUSTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the presence of mold at a middle school where numerous employees and students reported getting sick.
In a letter released Thursday, two air-quality experts did not address whether the mold found at Key Middle School was unsafe or could have caused sickness reported by employees and students.
The district moved Key's 600 students to a nearby school in late September after dozens of staffers and students complained of severe headaches, chest pains, breathing problems and vomiting suffered since school began Aug. 27.
School officials initially resisted calls by the Houston Federation of Teachers to move students out of the school. Tests by an independent contractor and city inspectors had not found unsafe levels of mold.
Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra agreed to move the students after U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, asked federal inspectors to visit the school.
The letter by Nancy Burton, an industrial hygiene specialist, and John Gibbins, an epidemiologist, said the district is making progress to improve conditions at the school, the Houston Chronicle reported in a story posted on its Web site Thursday.
The experts from the CDC also said the district should keep monitoring the school's ventilation units.
The pair visited the school in late September to take samples and meet with Key employees and district officials.
Last month, Burton told the newspaper that damp conditions at Key could have caused illnesses, especially in those with sensitive allergies.
The letter said a complete report is upcoming.
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Comments (to add your comment to this article on Houston Chronicle, use URL below)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5227235.html
NoMoreSchoolMold wrote:
Sample (previously completed)NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations for schools,both public and private, from Preschool-College level may be viewed at http://www.schoolmoldhelp.org/content/view/351/33/, on The Center for School Mold Help website. Never have we seen them analyze mold extensively. Never have we seen strong language used to direct school districts. They provide lukewarm guidelines and suggestions, at best. It is helpful to have these reports issued, but the CDC's attitude toward gaining the scientific evidence for the basis for disease in moldy, damp school buildings is politicized and weak. The bottom line is that the teachers' union has proven that toxigenic molds have been found in a very wet building that these students and school staff never should have been subjected to. Time to demolish the building and build these children a Healthy and High Performing School. There is no way to salvage a building that has been mismanaged for decades, and allowed to become so poisonous to the occupants. It is time for Houston, and all of America, to decide to put a higher priority on its children and schools, to foster health and an excellent education for them. They could not receive that with molds that cause inflammation of the brain and other organs. I hope you will visit our entire website to learn more about school mold and why it must not be tolerated: www.schoolmoldhelp.org.
10/19/2007 10:08:33 PM
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