Brookfield - At least two teachers at Brookfield Central High School have complained to School District administrators that mold may be causing them skin rashes and other health problems, and one science teacher took a medical leave to avoid her classroom.
 
District officials say that excessive mold was found in a science teacher's chemistry lab in March 2004, but that it was removed last June. A new round of tests in March showed no further mold problems.
 
An industrial hygienist with the state Department of Commerce visually inspected two chemistry labs on April 12 and also found no evidence of mold. Yet some school staff members remain unconvinced.
 
Science teachers at Elmbrook's other high school, Brookfield East, have come to the Central teachers' defense, saying that more analysis of the mold situation is needed, and that East teachers will fight any request that they fill in for the teacher during the medical leave.
 
A substitute teacher has taught the class of the chemistry teacher who went on leave April 14.
 
A May 15 letter signed by all nine East High science teachers states they have become "acutely aware of a potentially hazardous work environment in the Brookfield Central chemistry rooms.
 
"A combination of health related issues have been brought to our attention and have generated a sincere concern for the well-being of our Central colleagues," they wrote.
 
"We stand united that no teacher from Brookfield East be requested or required to transfer to Brookfield Central until these health issues are completely resolved. . . . Perhaps the School Board should seek the expertise of a physician or additional experts that would offer a second opinion on this health issue."
 
District officials have agreed to hire another firm to do mold testing. And they distributed a survey May 7 asking staff members to notify them about any indoor air quality complaints.
 
District Director of Facilities Management David Ross said Wednesday that he has received about a half dozen replies, with two complaints about mold in science labs, one about automotive exhaust escaping the auto shop area and two about poor ventilation.
 
The teachers' union recently conducted its own survey, in which Central High teachers complained about a variety of indoor air quality issues, as well as rodent and other health problems. The identities of the survey respondents were kept confidential.
 
Roof leaks, rashes
"The roof leaks continually almost all year and the papers often feel damp," one staffer wrote. "(I was diagnosed) with asthma this past year because of attacks at work."
 
"My skin is covered with a red rash," another wrote.
 
"(There are) stains on the walls and floors. This winter/spring I was issued an inhaler," noted another.
"A huge family (of rodents) was living in my closet," one employee said.
 
"My room does not have good ventilation or an air filter/purifier," another wrote. "Breathing is often difficult for me and my asthmatic students. Afraid to say so, I don't want to get transferred or fired."
 
The union survey listed three pages of health problems and asked employees to circle every one they have experienced. The list included everything from headaches and coughing to depression, heart palpitations and feeling "spacey or disoriented."
 
Survey's value questioned
Rob Baxter, the district's human resources director, said that the survey was overly broad and that it was impossible to distinguish whether health problems circled had anything to do with the work environment.
 
"We question how usable the survey was," Baxter said.
 
Ellen MacFarlane, executive director of the TriWauk Uniserve Council that circulated the union survey, did not return calls for comment.
 
The survey also said that six teachers reported a recent onset of asthma, and that 10 staff members complained of skin rashes or hives.
 
Fifteen said they have seen or smelled mold in the school. Seventeen said they have seen evidence of excessive moisture, and 20 said there are water leaks after rain or snow falls.
 
Twenty-eight said they have seen evidence of rodents.
 
Ross said that he wants to address air and building issues, and wishes the complaints were not anonymous. He said it is difficult to fix problems when the survey comments didn't state where they are located.
 
Baxter said, "We want to bring in an occupational air quality specialist to see if there's any correlation, any common denominators here."
 
The district has spent $5,875 for the testing conducted by Environmental Management Consulting Inc. of Lake Mills in March 2004 and March 2005 and the removal of mold from two chemistry labs in June 2004 by American Air Environmental in Oshkosh.
 
The district plans to hire Kisco Inc. to do new mold testing. The cost of the work has not yet been determined.
 

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Pure Air Control Services, Inc.

1-800-422-7873