Fungal growth found in Marina classrooms

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Two portable classrooms at Marina High school have

been infested with fungal growth, according to the results of air-quality

tests performed last month.

Executive Environmental Services Corp. came to the school Feb. 8 to

test the air in portable classrooms 255, 256, 257 and 258.

Visible evidence of fungal growth was found underneath the baseboard

near the front entry doors in rooms 256 and 257, school officials said.

The test also showed that fungal levels in the air inside the

classrooms indoors are lower than outdoor levels and don’t suggest any

hidden fungal growth in those rooms.

Teachers in these rooms as well as others have complained of nagging

allergy problems and sinus infections.

One of them, Bob Marshall teaches in room 256. He said he has had

allergy problems since he began teaching in that room.

Frank Ruotolo, who teaches in room 257, said he has been hit with

bronchial infections every four to six months over the last three years.

Last summer, he said he was sick the entire six weeks of summer school.

Ruotolo, who has put his own air filter in his classroom, believes the

fungi growing in his room has compromised his health.

“Parents are wondering why their kids are sick all the time and sick

for so long, this is why,” said parent Denyse Scarberry.

The report indicates that insufficient ventilation or inadequate fresh

outside air is the primary cause of most complaints. The second most

common cause is water damage to the building shells, leading to mold

contamination and growth.

Teachers have noticed leaks in their rooms for at least the past five

years. Some leaky roofs have already been patched up, but further repairs

will have to wait until the summer when major repairs are scheduled,

using the limited funds from the state, said Ed Baker, director of

facilities.

In the meantime, the school will begin work to remove and replace all

ceiling tiles, clean and repair all duct work and remove and replace old

fiberglass insulations in the four portable classrooms. The baseboard and

wall coverings near the entry doors to rooms 256 and 257 will also be

removed, as recommended by consultants.

Carpeting in all portable classrooms will be removed April 19 and

replaced with tile.

Consultants will return after all the work is complete to measure air

quality in all eight portable classrooms to ensure that indoor levels are

below the outdoor levels, said Patricia Koch, the district’s assistant

superintendent of business services.

Teachers and students first noticed the problem last year when when an

odor described as “dirty socks” sporadically polluted the room.

An initial indoor air quality test was done by Machado Environmental

Corp. a year ago, which also found evidence of fungus.

The Machado report indicated that 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.

Some leaky roofs have since been patched up, sinks and duct filters

were cleaned and the heating and air conditioning units have been

serviced. The air intake was adjusted.

Teachers had noticed an improvement in the odor since thedistrict has

come in for repairs. But leaks from the more recent rain summoned the

odor back.

“They’re repairing the floors, but they’re not repairing the walls.

It’s not good enough for me,” Scarberry said. “It won’t be until they

replace the portables.”

Scarberry has notified Assemblyman Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) who

has contacted the Department of Education and the Division of

Occupational Safety and Health.