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This document is also available as a PDF. Mould made two kids sick: Parents Mould made two kids sick: Parents
By Bob Mitchell
Group Group suspects mould after pupils become ill PEEL/HALTON BUREAU CHIEF A Mississauga parents' group is issuing a warning on mould after two
children whose classes are in portables sought medical treatment for
breathing problems. Members of Parents of Peel say the children's respiratory problems
may be linked to the presence of stachybotrys atra mould - a potentially
toxic spore. Several medical experts have linked prolonged exposure to the mould,
one type of fungus found in portables, to migraines, nosebleeds,
flu-like symptoms, asthma, fatigue, rashes and diarrhea. Teacher strike looms, B4 But Peel's acting medical officer of health says the group shouldn'
t jump to conclusions, insisting there's no proof the children became
sick because of mould. You can't draw any conclusions from the fact these children were
treated for respiratory problems and they also happened to be in portables,
'' said Dr. Barbara Kawa. They could have had an allergic reaction to a variety of things,
from outside mouldy leaves to pollen, dust, animal dander and tobacco
smoke. There are probably a lot of other children who were treated
for respiratory problems who weren't in portables.'' Mould can't be ruled out as the cause of the children's breathing
problems until their portables are tested, Parents of Peel spokesperson
Gordon Flett said. The group is to hold a public forum tonight at 7 at the Mississauga
Civic Centre. One of the children who experienced breathing problems, a Grade 5
student at Middlebury Public School, spent a week in hospital, group
members say. That student and the other youngster, a Grade 3 student at Thomas
Public School, both attend class in portables that haven't been tested
by the Peel District School Board, Flett said. They (the two students) exhibited severe breathing problems that
are entirely consistent with exposure to toxic mould,'' Flett said.
We have had numerous reports of other children in portables exhibiting
respiratory problems, chronic headaches and, in some instances, spontaneous
nosebleeds.'' The public board has spent more than $7 million on testing for mould,
which has so far been found in 231 portables. At least another 100 1 of 2 7/25/99 3:27 PM Printable Document-Electric Library Personal Edition http://business.elibrary.com/s/elbe/getd...rydocid=16155@library_i&dtype=0~0&dinst= portables, where mould is believed to exist, are scheduled to have
walls and ceilings torn out so tests can be conducted. At least 134 of those tested are being demolished and 91 will be repaired.
Another 55 new portables have been ordered. Hundreds of portables throughout Peel haven't been tested with invasive
procedures,'' Flett said. Meanwhile, Peel's Catholic board is expected to spend an additional
$5.2 million on rehabilitating 190 portables and to conduct invasive
testing on those that may have mould. Another 122 of 126 portables where mould was found have been rebuilt
at a cost of about $1.2 million. Copyright (c) 1998 Toronto Star, All Rights Reserved. Bob Mitchell, Mould made two kids sick: Parents. , The Toronto Star, 10-20-1998. Copyright © 1998 Infonautics Corporation. All rights reserved. - Terms and Conditions 2 of 2 7/25/99 3:27 PM |
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