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Just another day at school

April 2004

On Friday, April 11, 2003 school contacted us, as our son was reportedly sick.  They were not sure what was wrong, because he was having a hard time explaining his symptoms.  It was even thought that perhaps he was faking, because a group of his friends were sick.  When we arrived at school, the Health Room was filled with his friends and they appeared to be sick.  Some were now vomiting and others had fevers. Colin was having trouble breathing, was lightheaded, had a severe headache and was having trouble walking.  We were told to escort our son to his locker, as he was having trouble walking.  Later we were informed that a teacher had to help him get to the Health Room, because according to the teacher, “he was in bad shape.”  When we went to Colin’s locker, located on the second floor, there was a big piece of plywood being used as a barrier and a huge fan blowing on the plywood.  Some type of flooring product had been used and the fumes were horrendous.  Colin came home, we called the pediatrician and were told to keep him out of the building and he should be fine.  It took three hours for the symptoms to disappear. 

 We were told that a floor leveler had been laid and even though the agent was to be used with proper ventilation, the entire library was completed without any windows being opened.  To add to the ventilation problems, it was raining.

 The next day, we became aware that Colin had memory loss of events that happened the previous day.  His pediatrician told us to get him to the Emergency Room ASAP. Unaware of his exact exposure, the doctor checked his central nervous system.  He said that with a one time exposure, he should be okay. We were not sure if it had been a one time exposure or not and therefore did not know the long-term effects.  He told us to not allow Colin back in the school until the air was cleared of construction fumes.

 Isn’t it ironic that schools teach the slogan “Say No To Drugs,” while subjecting students to fumes that get them high? 

On Monday morning, April 14 we met at SEMS East with administrators and parents of the children that were in the Health Room with Colin.  We were asked to sign a piece of paper with our names, addresses and phone numbers and told they would get back in touch with us.  We insisted on seeing the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for whatever they used on the floor.  We had to tell them that the MSDS were in the Health Room, as they were unaware. We were informed  of various things that had happened during construction that were not acceptable (i.e., spray painting in the building during school and a worker stirring up so much dust, that he had his nose and mouth covered with his shirt, while children were in the classrooms).  We were promised that no liquids would be used while children were in the building.  

The MSDS revealed that carcinogenic materials were mixed right outside a window of the school.  We were also informed that the carbon dioxide levels had been “a little” elevated during the previous air test.

The following day, Colin went to school.  He did not stay on Monday, as he could still smell the fumes from the floor.  On Tuesday, he made it until fourth period and had to come home, due to a severe headache. This was the beginning of our investigation.   

Let the investigation begin

An air quality test was performed on September 6 (school began September 3). During this test, mold spores were found, as well as lead dust. The mold spores were found on a piece of plywood being used as a barrier.  (Could it have been the same plywood that was used as a barrier on April 11, with the fan circulating floor fumes AND mold?  Perhaps, as a symptom of mold spores is memory loss.  Why was Colin’s group of friends the most effected?  Did they ingest airborne mold spores?  They started getting really sick at lunch, after sitting together and eating the same foods.  Colin’s hand reportedly turned gray, which is a sign of possible ingestion.)   

There were no follow-up air quality tests performed until March 20.  At this time elevated levels of carbon dioxide and VOCs were found.  The carbon dioxide comfort level is 1000 ppm and eight out of the eleven rooms tested were over the comfort limit.   

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The floor leveler that was used just weeks following this air test had listed the first two by-products as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.  We already had elevated levels of carbon dioxide and then we introduced more.

 Asbestos was found in the building over Easter weekend and was removed.

 We spent the first few days contacting every agency that we could think of to help: State Departments of Health, Education, Labor and Industry and OSHA.  (There were a few more, but these were the biggest ones.)  We found that in PA, the only people that could do anything was the school board.   We were shocked and horrified to found out that no one was watching our schools to make sure our children were safe.  In PA, the General Assembly gives all of these rights to the school board.  So, we had to go to the school board.

 We notified a school board member and within hours, the school was closed for two days.  Also within these hours, students, parents and teachers started calling our home voicing their concerns.  These understandably upset individuals had notified the newspaper, television and were threatening a lawsuit.   The teachers were thrilled that we had gotten involved.  Apparently, they had complained the prior year to their Union.  They could not do anything, because construction was not in their contract.

 What was the school district’s reason for closing the school?  An in-wall safe had been found and needed to be removed, which they did not want to do with children in the building.  A note came home explaining that the school would be closed and cleaned over the weekend and school would not be reopened until clean air quality tests were found.

 On Friday, May 2 we were notified that they would continue to hold school as usual, even though there had been other plans considered. We were informed, in writing, that an air quality tester would be on-site whenever children were in school, collecting samples.  “If at any time negative results were found, the children would be immediately evacuated to Kennard-Dale High School.” 

 The first day of testing, two classrooms had to be evacuated, as the ventilation system was connected improperly, dumping fumes and debris in the rooms from the Tech-Ed class.  According to the air testing laboratory, they were not sure what the occupants were exposed to, as their equipment did not have the capabilities to detect and analyze all harmful substances, just a certain few. The children were evacuated to another part of the school, not to the high school, as we were told.  During the second day of testing, the construction workers were found using a liquid adhesive in the gymnasium.  Children were evacuated from the gym and no classes were held there for the remainder of the day.  On the third day on testing, the carbon dioxide levels were still above 2000 ppm and they advised us that the ventilation system in these rooms would be checked.

 Meanwhile, teachers and children remained in the building, complaining of such things as headaches, fatigue, coughing, bloody noses, bronchitis, and itchy and watery eyes.  We appreciate the fact that the school did a superb job cleaning for one weekend, but the occupants in the building should have been made aware of what they were exposed to and the possible health hazards all year.   The daily air testing results did come home in the beginning, however uninformed parents were not educated as to what the reports meant. 

 A district employee told us that hindsight is 20-20 and the building should have been closed and renovations completed before letting anyone in the building.  Well, it was too late; the construction was being completed with people in the building.  This situation was wrong for the students and staff.  In our opinion, it was wrong for the workers as well, making mistakes more likely.  

Our son continued to be Home Bound for the remainder of the year.  He was not alone, as we know of other children who could not return to school, due to health problems.  We do not know how many children or staff actually were affected.  In our opinion, administration downplayed this situation, stating that those on Home Bound Instruction were students with “excessive sensitivity.”  Had the school made available a list of possible symptoms, perhaps more children could have been more easily diagnosed.

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It is scary to know that the State Departments of Health, Education, Labor and Industry, as well as OSHA and the EPA cannot enforce their guidelines at our school.   As we found out during our initial investigation, the PA State Department of Health has one hygienist.  This department simply makes recommendations and does not typically make visits to schools, due to the lack of manpower.  The state hygienist was obviously concerned, as she made several trips to our school and supplied information to concerned individuals.  Once again, she does not have the right to enforce, only advise. 

 A new school year begins

Colin completed the seventh grade at home with his mother being his teacher.  He was tentative about returning to school this year to begin eighth grade.  However, after visiting the school during open house, he was pleased to see that the school had ceilings and floors, which gave the appearance that the school was in better shape than the previous year.  So, excitedly he began his eighth grade year.  He did visit the Health Room a few times during the beginning months of school, complaining of an occasional headache and a pulled back muscle the first weeks of school.

 On Friday, November 7, 2003 we received that dreaded phone call again…he was in the Health Room complaining of a headache and shortness of breath.  We did not even consider the possibility of something affecting him again this year, as we “assumed” everything was better after voicing our concerns last year.  When we arrived at school, it was obvious to us that our son was in distress and he was taken out of school. 

 After leaving SEMS East, we stopped by Fawn Area Elementary where Kerri, our daughter, is a fourth grader.  We were investigating the e-coli water issue, as she had gotten sick following both incidences in 2003 when the water fountains were closed.  Upon arrival at Fawn, we found out by accident that a sealant was being applied to the gym floor at SEMS East.  We could not believe it.  Wasn’t anything learned last year?  We immediately returned to Colin’s school and asked if the sealant was being applied.  After finding out in fact it was, we headed straight for Administration.  

We voiced our concerns and were told that the floor had to be completed by November 17, as that was the start of basketball.  In our opinion, the health and well being of the occupants in the building was more important than starting the basketball season on time.  We were advised that lines would be painted and topcoat applied to the floor during school hours the following week.  It was suggested that we keep our son home for a few days!  Sorry, but our son has the right to be in school and we pay our school taxes to send him to school.  We never received a refund check from the district last year for home schooling our child! 

 We received a call a few hours later advising us that the lines would be painted on the weekend and told at a later date that, the topcoat would be applied the following Tuesday and Wednesday evening. 

 Colin returned to school on Monday, November 10, lasting two hours in the building before experiencing a headache and shortness of breath.  During conversation with a school official, we were told that they were not a doctor, but they didn’t smell anything.  Our response? There are things that you can smell that will not hurt you and things that you cannot smell that will kill you!

 The following day, we received a call that Colin was complaining of a headache and shortness of breath after one hour in the school.  Once again, the school officials were questioning our son’s complaints. We were asked if we thought Colin was anticipating getting sick!  (Colin wants to be in school.  For goodness sakes, he is 13 years old and wants to be with his friends.  The new quarter had just started and he was looking forward to Tech-Ed.  He has been unable to attend this class yet this quarter.  Every morning he would get on the bus excited about the day ahead.  So, NO  we do not believe his was anticipating getting sick.)  While signing Colin out of school, school officials continued to insinuate that our son was not telling the truth.  Our child was not faking.  If Colin tells us that he does not feel well…HE DOES NOT FEEL WELL. 

 We had requested a copy of the MSDS for the topcoat to be applied to the gym floor.  Based on the side effects, we decided to keep Colin home for two days to avoid further exposure.  He was planning to attend school on Friday, but due to the power outage schools were closed.

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Monday, November 17, Colin returned to school.  His grandfather picked him up from school, as he was complaining of a headache, shortness of breath, chest tightness and an upset stomach after two hours in school.  According to his grandfather, Colin went straight to bed when he got home and the symptoms did not resolve until 2 hours later.  This was much longer than previously experienced. 

 One hour of school on Tuesday and Colin was sick.  Once again, we were confronted by school officials telling us they did not see any of the signs that Colin professed.  We were also told that there was no one else sick in the building!  Colin was the only one getting sick.  We knew of other kids having problems, have been told by area pharmaceutical employees that there are a lot of kids at that school who are sick, and have been informed by teachers and staff in the building.  So, do not try to make us believe that our son is the only one with complaints.

 When we picked up Colin we obtained a copy of the air testing performed in mid-September.   Mold spores, humidity, and respirable dust were reported to be elevated during the test. 

 Following a 2½-hour evaluation that evening by his pediatrician, Colin was diagnosed with asthma, with exhalation wheezing.  Since Colin has never had asthma, is only symptomatic in SEMS East and known to have been exposed to various harmful agents in the school, the pediatrician determined that Colin could not go back to school and continue to be exposed to “whatever” was triggering his asthma.  She told us to get him to an allergist for further evaluation. Colin was placed on Home Bound Instruction again.   

Finally, it all makes sense

An allergist saw Colin on Tuesday, December 2.  During his 3-hour evaluation, asthma was once again confirmed.  Colin underwent 50 different allergy tests.  It was found that he has some mild to moderate dust and dust mite sensitivity along with dog.  The doctor was extremely concerned that Colin is only symptomatic in the school.  He was also very concerned about the mold found in the building and informed us that Colin need not be allergic to mold to have a reaction to mold.  He simply may be sensitive to it.  Perhaps our fears of mold ingestion were correct.  Perhaps Colin ingested mold and because he has a higher level of mold in his system, he is now sensitized.  All the information was finally making sense.  Each time Colin was exposed to the mold in the school, it took less and less to create his reaction.  Thus explaining why each day he was exhibiting symptoms faster than the day before.  

 Another observation that the allergist made was a condition called “white dermagraphia.”  Apparently dermagraphia is not necessarily an uncommon experience, however, it is typically red.  Colin’s is white and this is less common.  Dermagraphism is somewhat like hives, however it does not occur on top of the skin, but rather under the skin.  It is not necessarily an allergic reaction, but rather a chemical reaction.  The allergist ordered additional blood testing, which showed there was no underlying disease causing Colin’s symptoms. 

 The doctor was very concerned and able to justify Colin’s problems.  He had been involved in other such situations regarding mold issues in schools and workplaces; therefore is a trained professional.  He knows the signs and symptoms and stated that, “observation is the key to his (Colin’s) diagnosis.”  He said that it is sad that as an employee we can get workman’s compensation if we work in such a building, but as a student, there is nothing we can do.   

The doctor’s assessment was “school-related illness – at this time ill-defined – does not appear to be allergic per se.  This probably represents a toxic sensitivity to mold or other volatile organic substance in a sensitive individual.  The white dermagraphism may be a sign that his innate sensitivity to chemical irritants and exposures is increased.”

No Guarantees

Colin now has five prescribed medications.  Three of these are taken daily: a medicinal inhaler to help desensitize him to mold and two allergy medications.  He also has an emergency inhaler and eye drops to use if need be.  If these medications work, Colin may be able to return to school, however, there are no guarantees as to his long-term health effects.  At this time it is impossible to know with any certainty exactly what Colin has been exposed to, however given what we do know, he is at risk for lung cancer, emphysema, reproduction complications and irreversible memory loss. 

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Even though others in the building may not be experiencing complications now or not to the degree of Colin, there is also no guarantee that they will continue in this fashion.  Who knows what will happen to the teenagers in the building several years from now when they are trying to start their own families.  Do we want to ignore the problems and hope that no one becomes ill in the future?  Or are we hoping that no one links his or her health problems to the school for fear of retaliation?  Can

we live with knowing we have information that may help lessen future medical complications and do nothing?  We can’t and that is why we decided to make Colin’s story public.   

Parents, students and staff have the right to know what they are being exposed to.  As we have told the school board previously, no one should control the information that is given to us.  We have the right to the information and then we can decide what to do with it.  We understand that, legally, the district is doing what it “needs” to do.  However, from parents who have seen their child suffer and be looked upon as a liar, we do not wish this nightmare on anyone.  We hope that the board will investigate the building where we send our children to learn.  They are entitled to a healthy education and are powerless to change the environment in which they are subjected.   

Let’s clean it up!

One of the biggest areas of concern to Colin’s doctors and us is the mold that has been found in the building.  The State Department of Health and the laboratory conducting the air testing have made their recommendations: replace the wet ceiling tiles within 24-48 hours of becoming wet, investigate and fix the leaks, keep control of the moisture in the building and perform routine inspections of the building’s systems.  During our parent-teacher conference, we were shown a ceiling tile that actually fell out of the ceiling due to saturation.  A walk through visual inspection of ceiling tiles revealed over 60 stains and we did not visit every room, nor count the small stains in the building.  Some tiles are even three-dimensional; a couple were white with pieces falling onto the window ledge below and another room had green, fuzzy ceiling tiles.  The library even had a bucket on the top of a bookshelf to catch water from a leak.  What about the fire hazards that these wet ceiling tiles pose, as they are right next to light fixtures?

 These aren’t the only areas of concern.  The vast differences in temperature in the building should be investigated.  No one knows how to dress for school, as one room is uncomfortably cold and the next uncomfortably warm.  What about the noisy blowers in the classrooms?  Sure hope you don’t suffer from a hearing impairment, because you’d never be able to hear the teacher.  Even without a hearing impairment, it is a struggle to hear the teacher and for the teacher to hear the student.  By the way, watch out for flying bricks on windy days!  Have you seen the lovely new front lobby?  How did so many tiles become unglued and why are there water stains on the floor?  Recently it looked like it had rained in the lobby as much as it did outside

 Because there are no federal guidelines and no enforceable regulations, we as taxpayers rely on our elected officials to become the watchdog in our schools.  Heaven forbid our child brings a nail clipper to school.  Think of the ramifications he would face.  The building is more of a threat to his health than the simple nail clipper.

 Please think of Colin and what an impact this past year has had on him.  Would you want your child to be experiencing life as our son has?  He is not only having complications now, but has no idea of his future.  This scares the hell out of us.  His mental health is also damaged.  He wants nothing more than to experience life as a typical 13-year-old boy: going to school, hanging out with his friends and enjoying life. 

 Perhaps one of the biggest lessons to be learned here is not to take the lowest bid for a project, but to hire the best qualified and most respected company to complete the job correctly.  After all, we have to remember we can be affecting people’s lives by the decisions we make.   This is a decision that we all have to live with, not just today, but for the rest of our lives.  As we are repeatedly told, the health and well being of our children is our number one concern.

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