The Greenwich Time Editors do not have the journalistic balls to ask why a copy of the test results and the letter from the so-called environmental consultant Charles Schwartz is not posted on the Greenwich Public Schools website for all to see.
Why hasn't Steven B. Anderson, Board of Education Chairman or Dr. Sidney A. Freund, Superintendent of Schools issued a press release about the mold and the leaking steam pipe that some Western Middle School parents say is wraped in asbestos.
The Greenwich Board Of Education Has Downplayed And Lied To Parents About Mold In The Past.
Can Parents really Be Expected To Trust Thier Childrens Health To The Same Old Cast Of Characters Who Tried To Cover Up Serious Mold Infestations In The Hamilton Avenue School And The Modular Classrooms.
For Three Days This Is All That Western Middle School Parents Have Been Told .....
January 21, 2010
Dear WMS Parents,
I am writing to inform you about some facilities work that will occur at Western this weekend.
A steam pipe leak in the crawlspace below the art storage room was reported.
There was excessive humidity and condensation in the closet, presumably due to the steam leak.
An environmental investigation of the adjoining art rooms and storage closet was conducted by Charles Schwartz representing Environmental Assessments & Solutions, Inc. The report noted, "no mold like staining, odor, or irritation were experienced in the adjoining rooms including the Kiln Room, E2 classroom, E6 classroom, or the E4 computer classroom.
Based upon our observations we conducted bioaerosol (mold in air) and asbestos air testing in the concern storage room and all adjoining rooms and halls with rapid turn-around. Asbestos air samples with TEM analysis identified no asbestos in air in any of the sample locations."
Mr. Schwartz did note "visible mold like staining on the
window, exterior wall and wood cabinets in the storage room.
"There was no musty odor nor did the investigator experience irritation symptoms while in the storage room."
Please note this is a locked storage room that students do not access.
Based on this information, a mold remediation contractor was immediately employed to conduct interim control measures directed on-site by the investigator including the following actions:
1. The E2 storage room was placed under negative pressure with a HEPA filtered negative air machine, then the room was locked and sealed.
2. The Kiln Room was surface cleaned using HEPA vacuums and biocidal single use rags.
Following these interim control measures retesting for bioaerosols was conducted and the results confirmed no asbestos in the air in any of the sample locations."
As you know from our summer facility projects, the Connecticut State Department of Health requires that all abatement projects, including this one, must be done when no children
under the age of eighteen are in the building.
The leak repair work and required abatement of the E2 storage room will be conducted this weekend.
Thus, all afterschool activities and the late bus on Friday, January 22nd, will be canceled.
Although we understand this is an issue of concern, we are pleased with the rapid response of the district and our team of consultants. We are relieved that this report confirms that at no time was the health of students or staff in danger.
A copy of the testing results letter from the environmental consultant is available upon request.
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.
Sincerely,
Stacey Gross, Ed.D.
stacey_gross@greenwich.k12.ct.us
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TEST RESULT
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GRENWICH TIME EDITORS ARE ALWAYS A SLEEP AT THE SWITCH WHEN IT COME TO THE SAFETY OF GREENWICH SCHOOL CHILDREN:
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