Marina High teachers hope solution to foul odor is found

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Teachers with classrooms in portables at Marina

High School are hopeful the Huntington Beach Union High School District

will remedy their problems soon.

“Since I’ve been in the portables, my allergies have been killing me,”

said teacher Robert Marshall.

According to an indoor air quality report by Machado Environmental

Corporation taken in March, Marshall’s classroom is one of the four that

has a sporadic odor described as “dirty socks.” The tests found species

of alternaria, penicillium and aspergillus in four portable rooms. These

fungi are known to produce toxins -- and species of aspergillus can be

infectious -- especially to anyone with a weak immune system.

“The odor bothers me and what it might be doing [to me] bothers me,”

teacher Dave Okura said.

Consultants indicated in the report the odor was coming from mold and

bacteria growing in certain parts of Rooms 255, 256, 257 and 258 caused

by water damage from leaks.

Marshall said the leaks have been there for as long as he’s been at

the school. One teacher even has his own air filter in the classroom.

“I expect my kid to be safe when she goes to school,” said parent

Denyse Scarberry.

The district is completing recommendations made by another consultant

in December. Leaky roofs are being patched up, and sinks have been

inspected and cleaned. The heating and air conditioning units have been

serviced, and filters were cleaned. The air intake was adjusted. The

carpet in the portables will be replaced with tile over spring break.

Teachers have noticed an improvement in the odor since the district

has come in for repairs.

“They need to replace the portables,” Marshall said.

The district’s limited maintenance budget makes it difficult for them

to keep up the 28-year-old portables, district officials say.

The district is awaiting results from an air quality test taken last

week to see what more can be done.