DC elementary school class relocated due to concerns about potential mold
Dec 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- An elementary school class in D.C. was temporarily relocated on Monday "out of an abundance of caution due to concerns raised about potential mold or water intrusion," a letter sent to families read.
DC Public Schools (DCPS) said that students in classroom 104 at Whittier Elementary School were taken to a different space in the building due to these concerns.
In an update sent Wednesday, DCPS said that crews had done precautionary mediation to encapsulate HVAC ductwork and create a protective barrier.
A certified industrial hygienist assessed the space and saw that there were signs of previous condensation leaks on the floor near the classroom's HVAC unit ventilator.
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DCPS also submitted a work order for classroom 221, after what may be mold was discovered behind a whiteboard.
The assessment was still ongoing as of Wednesday, as investigators needed to collect and submit samples for inspection.
"It is important to note there are no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other federal threshold limits for addressing airborne mold or mold spores in an indoor setting. However, if the building system ventilation is functioning properly, the indoor readings should represent what is encountered outdoors, with indoor concentrations below the outside ambient levels. Specific findings from the assessments of classrooms 104 and 221 will be shared with families as an update after the results are received," Wednesday's letter read.