Indoor Air Quality at South Shore School

South Shore Principal's Letter to Families, August 18, 2010 Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese Translation
South Shore Supt's Letter to Families, August 16, 2010 Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese Translation  
Toxicologist's South Shore Report of August 12, posted August 13, 2010 
South Shore Test Data - Appendix 1 and 2, posted August 13, 2010
South Shore Supt's Letter to Families, July 7, 2010 Chinese, Spanish Translation  
              
South Shore Remediation/Carpet Replacement Slide Show, July 7, 2010
FAQs written by the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units, University of WA School of Medicine
Toxicology FAQs posted June 17, 2010  
Toxicologist's Final Report, Part 1 and 2 posted June 14, 2010    
Toxicologist's Credentials posted June 14, 2010  
Toxicologist's Biography posted June 14, 2010  
Principal's Letter To South Shore Families and Staff posted June 14, 2010 Spanish Translation   

The South Shore K-8 building was closed on April 16, 2010 as a precautionary measure while the District continued to investigate the source of odors.  On April 19, 2010 the District retained a materials science firm, GT Engineering.  Their investigation has indicated that the concrete flooring system has high pH and moisture content and that this has reacted with the carpet adhesive and carpet materials.  As a result, the reaction was the off gassing a number of volatile organic compounds, the most notable of which is methyl hexanol.

A certified toxicologist was retained, Dr. Bruce Kelman of Veritox.  An inspection was conducted and air samples collected on April 26 and 27, and his toxicological report, supported by the work of a materials scientist, found no evidence of sufficient concentrations of airborne organic compounds or particulates that would cause acute or chronic toxicity (no long term effects).  The work has been reviewed by the State Department of Health, which concurs in the analysis.  The District has also shared the report with and incorporated comments from the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units at the University of Washington.

Next steps: the District is in the process of issuing a construction contract to move forward with the remediation of the flooring system. We are taking the following steps in the upcoming weeks: ordering new carpet, removing all of the old carpet and adhesive, preparing the concrete surface and installing an epoxy sealant, installing new adhesive and carpet and conducting further testing.

Communications with parents and staff: We will continually update the parents and staff throughout the summer. A South Shore staff meeting will be held June 17, 2010. The toxicologist will be present to answer questions.  A South Shore parents meeting will be held June 23, 2010 at 6:30 PM in the Rainier Beach High School Auditorium.  The toxicologist will be present to answer questions.

Superintendent's Letter to South Shore Families and Staff, May 21, 2010

Superintendent's Letter to South Shore Families and Staff, May 7, 2010 Spanish Translation  

Interim Report for South Shore Indoor Air Quality Investigation posted May 24, 2010
Indoor Air Quality Test Results posted May 19, 2010
Summary of Indoor Air Quality Issues (April 22, 2010)
Air Survey Analysis conducted on January 26, 2010 and results
Air Survey Analysis conducted on February 8, 2010 and results
Sample Off Gas Analysis conducted on February 18, 2010 and results
Air Survey Analysis conducted on April 6, 2010 and results
Air Survey Analysis conducted on April 13, 2010 and results
 
Information is available on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website about the causes of indoor air problems, how indoor air pollution affects your health, and how to improve indoor air quality.