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Mold sparks health concerns at high school:
Removal could cost $25,000 to $30,000
By Scott Dalton
sdalton@cnc.com
August 19, 2003
A little more than two weeks before
students are scheduled to return, building five at Harwich High School is off limits to
all personnel, 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," 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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