HOUSTON - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the presence of mold at a middle school where numerous employees and students reported getting sick.

In a letter released Thursday, two air-quality experts did not address whether the mold found at Key Middle School was unsafe or could have caused sickness reported by employees and students.

The district moved Key's 600 students to a nearby school in late September after dozens of staffers and students complained of severe headaches, chest pains, breathing problems and vomiting suffered since school began Aug. 27.

School officials initially resisted calls by the Houston Federation of Teachers to move students out of the school. Tests by an independent contractor and city inspectors had not found unsafe levels of mold.

Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra agreed to move the students after U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, asked federal inspectors to visit the school.

The letter by Nancy Burton, an industrial hygiene specialist, and John Gibbins, an epidemiologist, said the district is making progress to improve conditions at the school, the Houston Chronicle reported in a story posted on its Web site Thursday.
The experts from the CDC also said the district should keep monitoring the school's ventilation units.

The pair visited the school in late September to take samples and meet with Key employees and district officials.

Last month, Burton told the newspaper that damp conditions at Key could have caused illnesses, especially in those with sensitive allergies.

The letter said a complete report is upcoming.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5227235.html

# # #
 
Pure Air Control Services
 
1-800-422-7873