Amidst concerns over air quality, the Kyrene Elementary School District has temporarily transitioned students from Kyrene de la Sierra to online learning after closing the school earlier this week. As of next week, the district plans to relocate these students to alternative campuses.
Dominion Environmental Consultants were brought in to analyze air quality after odors were reported by parents and staff, prompting the school’s closure. The current roofing project is suspected to be the source of the “kerosene or tar-like” smell detected in the building.
According to guidelines from the U.S. Green Building Council, “tVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) levels should ideally be below 500 parts per billion (ppb). Studies have indicated that health complaints in buildings typically begin when the VOC levels inside of the building exceed 3,000 ppb.” The report revealed that the VOC levels in the school exceeded the recommended levels by over twentyfold. See full report here.
Erin Helm from the Kyrene school district noted, “They continue to show higher than normal particle readings. It will take five to seven days to get official results and to determine whether these results are connected to the materials used in the roof.” The district has conducted four tests, with the most recent on August 5.
Efforts to mitigate the odor include using industrial fans and sealing vents. However, the smell persists in certain areas, like the suspended ceiling. Students will resume classes virtually by August 7, and families not utilizing school bus services are encouraged to fill out a survey by 4 p.m. to coordinate transportation to YMCA or preschool locations.
Beginning August 11, nearly 500 students will be relocated to the Cerritos and Altadeña campuses. Preschoolers will exclusively attend Cerritos. Students are expected to return to Kyrene de la Sierra post-October following the completion of roof work and the fall break.
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