Oak Ridge Elementary - Overview

Timeline

Dollars Spent at Oak Ridge

Since 2005, the district has worked diligently to address ongoing environmental concerns at Oak Ridge Elementary. Guilford County Schools (GCS) installed a dehumidifying system and removed carpet with mold. Maintenance workers have also cleaned the heating and air conditioning system and had the carpets cleaned with anti-microbial cleaner.

In April, GCS officials met with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Workplace Hygiene (Industrial Hygiene Services) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Because mold was found on the bottom of the carpet squares in one classroom, it was decided that all rooms with carpet squares with a rubber backing will have the carpet replaced with VCT flooring (vinyl tile). Maintenance also inspected and reviewed the HVAC systems in the school, and all systems were found to be working properly.

Indoor air quality monitoring indicated that temperature levels were within the recommended range, relative humidity levels were below the recommended range and carbon dioxide levels exceeded the recommended limit for a portion of the monitoring period in Classroom 520, but corrections were made to reduce carbon dioxide levels for the remainder of the monitoring periods.

Adjustments were made to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A variable frequency drive was added to the air handler to introduce additional fresh air and improve CO2 levels.

The tests from the industrial hygienist showed minimal levels of airborne fungal spores present in the school. In fact, the air outdoors that we all breathe daily has spore levels that are many times higher than the levels found in any classrooms or other areas of the school.

A multidisciplinary team at the health department met May 21 and May 22 to develop a plan regarding the Oak Ridge Elementary facility. The health department sent a mechanical engineer to inspect the school and the HVAC system on Monday, May 25.

The health department team also reviewed three reports from independent contractors employed by GCS, and surveyed parents to collect medical information.

The survey was designed to help health officials understand the cause of the allergic and respiratory illnesses reported by students and staff at the school.

In June, the district contacted the National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) and closed the building so any testing, cleaning or remediation work taking place could occur without creating major disruptions.

NIOSH, along with Turner Building Science and Design, came to the school in July to extensively evaluate the facility. NIOSH and Turner provided the district with preliminary reports.

Since then, the district worked closely with Turner to develop protocols for the scope of work to be done at the school. During the fall, GCS is completing projects as recommended by Turner. Students and staff have been temporarily located at four separate facilities while the work is being completed.