news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- The final federal report on health problems at Oak Ridge Elementary School offers several recommendations to avoid future issues.

Guilford County Schools posted the report on its website today and said in a press release that many of the recommendations had already been implemented, but did not specify which ones.

Oak Ridge was closed from June 2009 through February 2010 as the district addressed problems with mold and dampness at the school.

Employees and students had complained of illnesses since the building opened in 2005 after undergoing major renovations and additions. The complaints led the district to bring in groups to inspect the school, including a private firm and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in summer 2009.

Some of the recommendations:

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules for maintaining the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
• Routinely monitor the school in a standardized way for possible re-occurrence of dampness.
• Walk through the entire school and check for water incursion during and after heavy rains.
• Correct the cause of any identified dampness problems and clean or remove water-damaged materials.
• Avoid routine use of biocides (which are used to clean mold).
• Monitor for possible reoccurrence of building-related symptoms, if needed, with occupant health questionnaires.

Read more in Wednesday's News & Record or e-Edition.