VICKSBURG, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A group of teachers at Sunset Elementary School in Vicksburg have hired an environmental expert and attorney following claims that the building is causing various illnesses.
Citing various building conditions, such as a leaky roof which was never inspected for mold when replaced, the teachers say that they have suffered from a myriad of health issues after they began working at the school.
Illnesses include two strokes from a 31-year-old teacher, hysterectomies, fertility problems, and several upper respiratory infections.
The teachers claim that they sent samples of the insulation to a lab for analysis, which confirmed the presence of mold strains that can be allergenic or harmful to humans. They also say that Nova Environmental, who was hired by the school, never found mold in the building.
Michael Pinto of Wondermakers Environmental was hired by the teachers, who says the data reviewed shows the building is unsafe.
In a letter to the National Institute for Occupancy Safety and Health via press release, Pinto wrote,
“Although the extent of illnesses reported by student occupants currently appear to be less serious, even the available evidence indicates that there may be more serious, and longer lasting, health effects from their exposure to the school.”
Vicksburg officials maintain that the building is safe. In a letter shared via Facebook last week, Principal Amie McCaw wrote,
“All historical and current air-quality tests for Vicksburg Community Schools have continued to come back negative for harmful levels of toxicity. VCS has never had an internal air-quality test show unsafe conditions at the building. We want to emphasize that the air quality has not been found to be unhealthy and continue to assure our community and staff that Vicksburg Community Schools is committed to provide a safe learning environment. To that end, the district is working with health professionals to rule out any potentially unsafe conditions and, if identified, will address them immediately.”
The carpeting at the school is currently undergoing replacement in response to these concerns.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
