Health Complaints Spur School Air-Quality Tests

Complaints by Esperanza High School teachers who say they have developed health problems from working in one of the school’s buildings have prompted a Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District investigation.

Teachers began complaining in September 1996 of nose and throat irritation, asthma and increased cases of colds, Assistant Supt. Kim Stallings said Wednesday. District officials said no students or parents have complained.

A preliminary report by Machado Environmental Corp. found high levels of dust mite allergens--microscopic insects--and a low level of outside air circulating into the building but detected no serious problems.

The Glendale-based environmental consultants are collecting surveys from teachers this week and expect to complete a thorough analysis of the building by the middle of May, Stallings said.

“We’re a little early in the process to say the building is a problem,” Stallings said. “It’s not uncommon to have complaints about buildings. But we’re taking this seriously.”

Stallings said “several” teachers complained, most comments coming from teachers who work in the building that houses the school library, language arts classes and science laboratories.

She said the district has replaced moldy carpeting and ceiling tiles in the past, cleaned ventilation ducts and has custodians vacuum the building every day to prevent allergy problems.