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Mold sparks health concerns at high school because
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Moldy carpets are causing problems in four classrooms at Harwich High School. (Photo courtesy of Harwich Health Department ) |
A little more than two weeks before students are scheduled to return, building five at Harwich High School is off limits to all personnel as the result of a substantial mold outbreak.
School officials discovered the problem, which is limited to four classrooms in the southernmost wing of the high school, last week. Carpets in the wing, which houses primarily social studies and English classrooms, will need to be ripped out and disposed of, according to health director Paula Champagne and school business manager Gary Costin. Removal was scheduled to begin today.
Further complicating the matter is the fact that the underlying tiles are vinyl asbestos.
"The rug is directly adhered to the floor tile," Costin said yesterday, estimating removal costs at between $25,000 and $30,000. "We will visit the finance committee Wednesday night looking for funds."
Champagne said school officials alerted her to the issue last week and asked her to come in and inspect the situation. She said that the growth and extent of the mold growth indicated a "very serious problem."
"They need to get the textiles (rugs) out of there," she said. "This is a high use area and I made the recommendation that it be removed."
Champagne said that the potential for health issues, coupled with the fact that the school is scheduled to open soon, prompted her to declare a public health emergency. The removed materials will be treated as hazardous waste, with contained removal procedures, negative air pressure and extensive cleaning. She added that the removal firm, ERS, which performed the asbestos and lead removal at the Harwich Police Station Headquarters earlier this year, has been contracted to perform the work at the school.
"They were the low bid and I am very comfortable recommending them," Champagne said.
Both Champagne and Costin stressed that the mold in question is not the highly toxic variety which has garnered a great deal of press in recent years. But, Champagne stressed, it is still an issue that must be dealt with comprehensively.
"All molds can cause allergic reactions to sensitive persons," she said. "People with acute allergies would be affected by this."
Costin said the mold problem apparently stems back to a rug cleaning that took place July 2. He said the contractor, whom he declined to identify, would likely have some liability in connection with the mold.
"It has just been a terrible summer and we are speaking with the contractor who shampooed the carpets and we're probably going to put them on notice that they probably have some responsibility for this mold problem," he said. "The question is were they dried properly."
Costin added that there was no question that the rugs needed to be removed. He said school Superintendent Rosemary Josephs and school committee Chairman Robin Wilkins were aware of the issue.
"The health, safety
and well being of the kids and staff is the priority," Costin said.
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