Air Scrubbed at Maud Abrams School, 2 Classrooms Had Air Quality Issues

COLD SPRING – Based on a reader’s Spout Off to the Herald, Lower Township Elementary School District Superintendent Jeffrey Samaniego was asked to explain the status of air quality at the Maud Abrams Elementary School.
Samaniego told the Herald that last August; high levels of humidity and moisture were discovered by staff in a classroom at Maud Abrams which led to the testing of the air and examination of the HVAC system, as per the established “Air Quality Plan.” 
Coastal Environmental Services, a contractor used by the district, responded at that time and used a special mold inhibitor to clean the system.
The air was “scrubbed” and re-tested, and the room passed at that time. Samaniego stressed that at no time were staff or students exposed to any harmful substances.
Samaniego then described the recent situation encountered in a different classroom at the school’s “A“wing. 
Last week another classroom was discovered to have higher than permitted levels of moisture that can lead to mold. The district again followed its plan to address the issue and acquired two “air scrubbers” and another piece of hardware that serves to power scrub the HVAC equipment and uses a mold inhibitor to clean and remove all materials found in the system. 
After treating the classroom twice, work must continue on that room before that classroom can be cleared. All other classrooms have been cleared.
No staff or students will occupy or enter that room until the protocol is completed.
Samaniego advised that the district air quality protocol calls for yearly testing, but he intends to double that protocol to bi-annual tests and to especially monitor Maud Abrams School in the future.
“I want to make sure that the staff and students have a healthy environment” he added.
On Oct. 26, Samaniego sent a letter to all parents notifying them of the situation and detailing the steps taken and future steps he plans to take.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.