A Mother's Story of Child Injured by Mold at PGCPS District Heights Elementary School
Grandmothers Story District Heights Elementary Safe Schools
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Testimony on Lead, Mold, Cell Towers and Administrative Leave at PGCPS Board of Education
At the May 11, 2017 Board of Education meeting teachers, staff and parents testified for immediate action to fix the environmental health issues.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
District Heights Elementary School Has Mold And Unhealthy Air Quality
District Heights Elementary School Mold/Air Assessment Shows The Air was Unhealthy and Not Safe!
PGCPS is not informing the community about the carbon dioxide levels and is relying on outdated laws that do not ensure school air is safe fir children are staff. In the press releases dated April 6 2017 and April 21, 2017 PGCPS left out important information.
Facts and Documentation
PGCPS released a April 18, 2017 air quality report on District Heights Elementary. Earlier they released a April 4 2017 air quality report .
Findings Include:
1. Carbon Dioxide levels are too HIGH with several above 1000 and above 900!
- The April 18, 2017 air quality report hows that in four District Heights classrooms Classroom 2, Classroom 5, Classroom 7, Classroom M19. Carbon Dioxide levels were found be above 900 in Classroom 1, Classroom PreK Classroom 2, Classroom 11, Classroom 13, Classroom 15, Classroom 10.
- The April 4 2017 air quality report shows the amount of Carbon Dioxide was also at very very HIGH levels: Classroom K2 had from 1,287 ppm, Classroom 10 had 1,892, Classroom 7B had 2,200 and Classroom 4 had 2,346 ppm. The background outside air level was 466 ppm!
400 m3 of Stachybotrys was found in room M-18 according to the April 18, 2017 Report (see page 22). Stachybotrys is considered a toxic black mold and was not found in the outside air according to the test results. Therefore it must have come from an inside mold problem. note: The earlier report dated April 4th also found Stachybotrys but at a lower level of 40 m3.
If you disturb the contaminated areas with this type of mold, the dust created can increase exposure to the fungus and its metabolites. Could that be why the level went from 40 to 400 in just a few weeks and the 400 level was found when- according to the report- work was being done in the room? Was care taken to prevent the dust from going into other classrooms.
According to the CDC, "In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children."
3. Several mold species were present in District Heights Classrooms which can cause asthma like symptoms.
Testing from both reports shows molds such as Myxomycetes, Pithomyces, Cladosporium and Dicyma. Classroom 4 had the worst air quality in the first report.
4. Toxic chemicals used in the building has sickened staff and children: Staff and parents are reporting that when contractors came into to "clean" the mold a chemical smell went through the entire building and made people lightheaded and sick. Apparently, the air handler was on and brought the strong chemicals into EVERY room in the building. Cleaning chemicals for mold can be toxic and they should not have been used with children in the building.
5. Pictures from the school clearly show mold and neglect. Please notice the very very dirty filter from the air handler? Does this seem healthy to you? Take a look at the mold. Does this seem healthy to you ? Read the April 18, 2017 Report Here
Read the April 4 2017 air quality report
PGCPS District Heights Elementary School IAQ Report 04-18-2017 (1117-150)High Carbon Dioxide Levels you can download it from this link above.
What Parents and Staff Need To Know:
Carbon Dioxide levels over 900ppm are too high and unhealthy.
Contrary to PGCPS conclusions of safety in the building, research shows that high levels of carbon dioxide effects brain function, attention, memory and concentration. A Harvard School of Public Health study found that high CO2 levels -in the 1,000 parts per million concentration like in District Heights classrooms have a direct and negative impact on human cognition and decision-making. They found that, on average, a typical participant’s cognitive scores dropped 21 percent with a 400 ppm increase in CO2.
"Our findings show impacts above the 95th percentile of CO2 (945 ppm) "
" Evidence mounts for CO2 as a direct pollutant, not just a marker for other pollutants (Satish et al. 2012). We found statistically significant declines in cognitive function scores when CO2 concentrations were increased to levels that are common in indoor spaces (approximately 950 ppm).
Read the study here.
Research shows inadequate classroom ventilation, as evidenced by CO2 concentration exceeding 1000 ppm is associated with reduced school attendance. Read the study here.
How long have children and staff been breathing this air?
Why isn't clean air a priority in PGCPS school?
Why isn't clean air a priority in PGCPS school?
A study of the respiratory health of 4,600 children from six cities in the northeast USA demonstrated that the presence of mold and dampness in the homes were correlated to several respiratory symptoms as well as a number of non-respiratory symptoms. The effect was of similar dimension to parental smoking (Brunekreef et al., 1989). Two studies involving 15,000 children and 18,000 adults from 30 communities in Canada came to similar conclusions. The authors concluded that a non-allergenic mechanism was involved. A dose-effect was also seen in that more visible mold yielded more symptoms.
Overall the mold contamination was associated with a 50% increase in asthma and a 60% increase in upper respiratory disease (Dales et al., 1991a; 1991b). A large European study (Zock et al., 2002) including 38 study centres worldwide and 19,000 adults concluded that indoor mold growth has an adverse effect on adult asthma. Reported mold exposure in the last year was associated with asthma symptoms and bronchial responsiveness (OR range, 1.14-1.44). This effect was homogeneous among centers and stronger in subjects sensitized to Cladosporium species. As in the Canadian studies, the authors concluded that both allergic and non-allergic mold related effects were involved in the health outcomes. There is some evidence that exposure to environmental molds may play a role in asthma-related mortality (Targonski et al., 1995).
There're no federal standards for "safe" levels of mold. So when PGCPS states it is not breaking any standard, that is because standards are not set that have considered these health effects.
Q and A on Air Quality
What constitutes a “safe” level of mold?
In an air sample, mold counts should be equal to or below outdoor counts. There should be no stachybotrys. Not one spore. Aspergillus should be present only at negligible levels. The standard in Belgium requires no more than 2 1/2 percent aspergillus in the total count. However in District Heights Classroom 4 had 8% for example, much higher than Belgium allows.
Why is mold a problem?
Stachybotrys and other mold may produce several toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can be present in spores and small mold fragments released into the air. Once in the air, children and teachers and staff may breathe them into their lungs and have symptoms.
Why do we call this "toxic"?
Because any exposure that causes memory problems or brain problems or increased asthma issues is toxic! Kids cannot learn in toxic environments. Kids cannot learn when they are having respiratory issues.
Why is mold a problem?
Stachybotrys and other mold may produce several toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can be present in spores and small mold fragments released into the air. Once in the air, children and teachers and staff may breathe them into their lungs and have symptoms.
Why do we call this "toxic"?
Because any exposure that causes memory problems or brain problems or increased asthma issues is toxic! Kids cannot learn in toxic environments. Kids cannot learn when they are having respiratory issues.
Research Cited
Harvard Study Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers
Carbon dioxide toxicity and climate change: a serious
unapprehended risk for human health
Carbon dioxide toxicity and climate change: a serious
unapprehended risk for human health
Effects of toxic exposure to molds and mycotoxins in building-related illnesses.
Basidiomycete mycelia and spore-allergen extracts: skin test reactivity in adults with symptoms of respiratory allergy.
Sensitization to Airborne Ascospores, Basidiospores, and Fungal Fragments in Allergic Rhinitis and Asthmatic Subjects
Neurobehavioral and pulmonary impairment in 105 adults with indoor exposure to molds compared to 100 exposed to chemicals.
"A number of studies have identified CO2 associated symptoms and respiratory diseases such as sneezing, rales, wheezing, rhinitis, and asthma (Carreiro-Martins et al. 2014; Ferreira and Cardoso 2014). Other symptoms, cough, headache, and irritation of mucous membranes, were also identified (Ferreira and Cardoso 2014). Lack of concentration was associated with CO2 concentrations above 1000 ppm. Gaihre et al. (2014) found that CO2 concentrations exceeding 1000 ppm is associated with reduced school attendance. Teachers also report neuro- physiologic (i.e., headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating) symptoms at CO2 levels greater than 1000 ppm (Muscatiello et al. 2015)."
P.N. Bierwirth, PhD Read it here.
Friday, May 5, 2017
New Air Quality Test Released: District Heights Classrooms Have High Carbon Dioxide Levels
PGCPS release d a second air quality report on District Heights Elementry where children and staff were getting sick.
Findings Include:
1. Carbon Dioxide levels are too HIGH above 1000 ! in four District Heights classrooms Classroom 2, Classroom 5, Classroom 7, Classroom M19.
Carbon Dioxide levels are above 900 in Classroom 1, Classroom PreK Classroom 2, Classroom 11, Classroom 13, Classroom 15, Classroom 10.
Contrary to PGCPS conclusions, Carbon Dioxide levels over 900ppm are too high and unhealthy. Research shows that high levels of carbon dioxide effects brain function, attention, memory and concentration. A Harvard School of Public Health study found that high CO2 levels -in the 1,000 parts per million concentration like in District Heights classrooms have a direct and negative impact on human cognition and decision-making. They found that, on average, a typical participant’s cognitive scores dropped 21 percent with a 400 ppm increase in CO2.
"Our findings show impacts above the 95th percentile of CO2 (945 ppm) "
" Evidence mounts for CO2 as a direct pollutant, not just a marker for other pollutants (Satish et al. 2012). We found statistically significant declines in cognitive function scores when CO2 concentrations were increased to levels that are common in indoor spaces (approximately 950 ppm).
Read the study here.
Research shows inadequate classroom ventilation, as evidenced by CO2 concentration exceeding 1000 ppm is associated with reduced school attendance. Read the study here.
Research Cited
Harvard Study Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers
Classroom carbon dioxide concentration, school attendance, and educational attainment.
Read the Report Here
We posted on this issue last week.
Read the First Report released from the initial testing that also found high carbon dioxide here
Findings Include:
1. Carbon Dioxide levels are too HIGH above 1000 ! in four District Heights classrooms Classroom 2, Classroom 5, Classroom 7, Classroom M19.
Carbon Dioxide levels are above 900 in Classroom 1, Classroom PreK Classroom 2, Classroom 11, Classroom 13, Classroom 15, Classroom 10.
Contrary to PGCPS conclusions, Carbon Dioxide levels over 900ppm are too high and unhealthy. Research shows that high levels of carbon dioxide effects brain function, attention, memory and concentration. A Harvard School of Public Health study found that high CO2 levels -in the 1,000 parts per million concentration like in District Heights classrooms have a direct and negative impact on human cognition and decision-making. They found that, on average, a typical participant’s cognitive scores dropped 21 percent with a 400 ppm increase in CO2.
"Our findings show impacts above the 95th percentile of CO2 (945 ppm) "
" Evidence mounts for CO2 as a direct pollutant, not just a marker for other pollutants (Satish et al. 2012). We found statistically significant declines in cognitive function scores when CO2 concentrations were increased to levels that are common in indoor spaces (approximately 950 ppm).
Read the study here.
Research shows inadequate classroom ventilation, as evidenced by CO2 concentration exceeding 1000 ppm is associated with reduced school attendance. Read the study here.
Harvard Study Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers
Unfortunately no law is broken with the levels as regulations always take decades catch up with best available science.
Read the Report Here
We posted on this issue last week.
Read the First Report released from the initial testing that also found high carbon dioxide here
See the protest by parents and citizens here.
The EPA States A Safe Level Of Lead in Water is Zero
0 ppb is the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goal- A Health Standard- for Lead in Water Limit
Read it here https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
“Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause low IQ, hearing impairment, reduced attention span, and poor classroom performance.”
20 ppb is not safe. 15 ppb is not safe. 10 ppb is not safe. 0 is safe.
“Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause low IQ, hearing impairment, reduced attention span, and poor classroom performance.”
20 ppb is not safe. 15 ppb is not safe. 10 ppb is not safe. 0 is safe.
Read it here EPA DRINKING WATER STANDARDS AND HEALTH ADVISORIES TABLE https://www3.epa.gov/region9/water/drinking/files/dwshat-v09.pdf
ALERT: PGCPS Water is Not Safe CONFIRMED by PGCPS Who States They Made An Error
Confirmed: Emergency Situation! Confirmed by PGCPSL Several PGCPS fountains are Lead Contaminated ! AND PGCPS is not informing parents nor recommending lead tests if high lead levels are found: A Lawsuit in the Making.
The press release states that “We are confident that our buildings have safe drinking water and we want the public to have no doubt.” Could you please clarify how you are confident that the buildings have safe drinking water because when I took a look at the testing over the last six years that have been done in the schools I saw that there were several schools that have lead levels that range anywhere from 5 to 20 PPB. I understand from the documents that you sent me that the water fountains that were turned off are those that are over 20 ppm. So are there fountains on which are allowing lead levels that are just under the EPA threshold but that clearly a contaminated with lead? As you are aware because it has been six years since some of these tests have been done it is very possible that water sources that have a level of 13 could now be at 22. We simply don't know. Please clarify how you know that the drinking water is safe.
Alert to All Parents: PGCPS just wrote a letter clarifying the following:
1. PGCPS is using an outdated antiquated allowable lead limits tat would NOT BE ALLOWED IN OUR HOME WATER.
This means that water fountains are not safe to drink from.
2. PGCPS refuses to inform parents that might need to go to their pediatrician if a high lead level was found.
Please see the letter below where it states that THEY MADE AN ERROR.
Read my questions and their answer.
PGCPS decided not to fully answer my questions so I am writing each question here with the PGCPS response for your information.
Dear Dr. Maxwell,
I read with interest the press release that the county is going to launch the final phase of the water quality program and I would like to tell you how thankful I am that the county is finally dealing with this very important problem.
I was reading your press release entitled, “PGCPS TO LAUNCH FINAL PHASE OF WATER QUALITY PROGRAM” and had some very specific questions for you in regards to some of the statements that have been made and I appreciate in advance your clarification and answers to each of these questions:
The press release states that “We are confident that our buildings have safe drinking water and we want the public to have no doubt.” Could you please clarify how you are confident that the buildings have safe drinking water because when I took a look at the testing over the last six years that have been done in the schools I saw that there were several schools that have lead levels that range anywhere from 5 to 20 PPB. I understand from the documents that you sent me that the water fountains that were turned off are those that are over 20 ppm. So are there fountains on which are allowing lead levels that are just under the EPA threshold but that clearly a contaminated with lead? As you are aware because it has been six years since some of these tests have been done it is very possible that water sources that have a level of 13 could now be at 22. We simply don't know. Please clarify how you know that the drinking water is safe.
The March 6 letter can be found here.
The March 22, 2017 letter can be found here
None clarify how PGCPS has safe water for children.
2. The press release states that, “PGCPS will begin installing filtered water fountains this summer at all schools.” I would like to ask what you are doing now to ensure the children have access to healthy water. I have written several times and you have stated that they are given bottled water to the children but when I and parents ask specifically -details about this- they are not given answers. For example, is water available in the classroom? Does a child need to go all the way down to the front office to get the water? Can you please describe for each school exactly how the children are provided available water and how many water bottles they are allowed to have during the day? Please also share how teachers and staff are being provided clean water.
PGCPS Response:
December 12 letter is here.
3. Your press release states that, “There are no federal or state mandates for annual testing.” Yes that is true and it is shameful that this country does not have a system in place so that parents can be assured that the water is safe. I would like to point out that there is a Maryland Bill calling for regular water testing in the state. I would like to ask that you support this bill and contribute to the discussion and share with our state legislators the challenges that the county is facing right now and the need for state and federal support. Please tell me how you are supporting this Bill. Please share how you can support additional legislation in regards to to the issue of lead poisoning in schools.
4. The water quality page states that “5,238 (approximately 30%) found to be at or above the 20 ppb EPA action level.” There seems to be some confusion which I would like to get clarity on. In one letter you wrote me stating that you were using the EPA action level of 15 ppb. In yet another letter you wrote me that you were using the action letter of 20 ppb. I have that detailed in full here. So I guess my question is which lead contaminant action level have you been using for the last half decade? 15 or 20 ppb? Are water taps which have under 20 ppb still allowed to be on in the Prince George’s County school system? If so why?
5. The water quality page states that “During the construction of new schools, the water will be tested at the property line and from all drinking water sources. Any water that tests above 10 parts per billion (ppb) will be remediated.” Again, I would like to point out that the EPA action level is 15 ppb. However this is not a safe amount of lead in the water and it is my understanding that anything over one part per billion is unsafe for children because there is no safe level of lead for children. Please read the American Academy of Pediatrics Report which states how 0 ppb is the health standard. Can you please explain why you are not using zero as the acceptable level of lead to be allowed in our children's classrooms?
Response to #4 below
6. The water quality page shares the 2004 testing that was done but no where do I see the 2008 through 2016 testing that was done. Here it is: 2011 -2012 PGCPS Lead Level testing, PGCPS Lead Testing Done in 2014, PGCPS Lead Testing of Ardmore in 2015,, PGCPS Lead Testing Done in 2010, PGCPS Lead Testing Done in 2008 Could you please ensure these test results are posted on that webpage - just as you posted the 2004 lead test results- so parents and teachers have access to it. Many parents are writing me asking me for the lead test in their school and the county has a responsibility to post ALL the testing that has been done.
7. Your press release states that, “Results from the comprehensive testing will be shared when completed.” Thank you. This is very important. I am writing asking that you send to each parent the testing that has been done in the past at their child's school and clarify specifically what was done in each school so that there is full transparency in this process. I am just a mom and should not be responsible for sending parents across the county the school water testing results. This is PGCPS responsibility. Please post it publicly so each parent can have easy acess to it and not have to sort through thousands of pages. Parents deserve transparency and information pertaining to their child’s health. These parents should be provided information immediately and not have it treated as a public information request and have it take a month as has happened to me.
8. Your press release states that “While we know our drinking water is safe, we also know that some older buildings may have lead sources within their private plumbing systems. Our tests will help PGCPS identify issues within schools’ plumbing systems.” This sentence is a little bit confusing because if you think the drinking water is safe then why are you saying that some older buildings may have a lead sources? Please be very clear with the parents teachers and staff that the water is not safe because it has not been tested in over half a decade.
9. There are some inaccuracies in the PGCPS ARDMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Frequently Asked Questions that need to be fixed. You have statement that reads, “Almost all lead poisoning cases stem from exposure to lead based paint and lead in soil ingestion and not from drinking water with a lead content. Based on this information the need for lead testing is not recommended.”
This is absolutely false. Children can be lead poisoned by water contaminated with lead and no amount of lead is safe for children so I am quite shocked to read such a statement. I would like you to please have an expert from the Department of Health review your FAQ sheet and ensure accuracy. This document also states that “based on this information the need for lead testing is not recommended” and that again is false. Clearly there is a water contamination problem in Ardmore or else you would not be keeping all the faucets off? Please revise your FAQS for parents so that they reflect accurately the reality that no amount of lead is safe for children. Yes children can be lead poisoned by the water . Please clarify to me what you are going to be doing to remedy such statements which are made on the frequently asked questions sheet that you have posted.
10. Why are you not telling the parents that they can go to their pediatrician to get a lead test if the water in their school has been found to have a high lead level? This seems important. In Washington DC this is what the school system did. The school district materials are making it seem like the water is safe when the water is clearly not safe. Please explain why you are not fully informing parents of their school water test results and that they can and should consult their pediatrician with such results. The pediatricians will need to have the information on the lead tests results to know the best way to address any parent concerns.
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