No air problems found in high school

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) did not find any evidence of active water leaks or mold in the choral room or adjacent band room at New Richmond High School during an inspection.

The inspection, conducted March 22, was requested by New Richmond Superintendent Tom Durbin after about a dozen students became ill during a Troubadours class on Feb. 8. They reported breathing problems and feeling light-headed. That led to an evacuation of the school while firefighters, air quality experts and Duke Energy investigated possible environmental causes.

No problems were found, but, as a precaution, Durbin closed the room and asked NIOSH to conduct a field investigation of the choral room. The adjacent band room was also investigated, because it's served by the same ventilation system.

In a preliminary report, signed by Todd Niemeier, industrial hygienist for NIOSH, and Dr. Nancy Clark Burton, NIOSH industrial hygiene team leader, they said, "We used a thermal imaging camera to inspect the walls for water leaks, and collected spot environmental measurements for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide."

They also said they inspected the air handling unit that serves the choral room and the outdoor intakes for the building. They collected spot environmental measurements in other parts of the building, including the band room, classrooms on the second floor, and second- and third-floor hallways.

In addition, NIOSH medical officer Dr. Melody Kawamoto conducted telephone interviews with school officials and employees about reported exposures and health concerns.

"The district believes the room is safe, and the room will be utilized during the 2010-2011 school year," Durbin said.

"We hope the final NIOSH report will be sent to us prior to the start of the new school year and will confirm our belief that the room is safe," Durbin said. "But from our previous tests and the preliminary report from NIOSH, there is nothing wrong with that room other than it's not large enough to accommodate 120 students."