Teacher’s Concern Prompts Mold Probe at School
School officials are investigating the possible presence of mold spores in a portable classroom at Charles Helmers Elementary School after a teacher there expressed concern about her health.
“Her physician thought there might be some sort of mold in the classroom,” said Mark Fulmer, assistant superintendent of business services for the Saugus Union School District. The teacher, whose name was not released, approached Helmers Principal Paul Martinsen last week. Martinsen said he could not comment on her medical condition for confidentiality reasons.
The teacher’s concern comes about a month after two doctors blamed poor ventilation in portable classrooms at another Saugus school, Rio Vista Elementary, as the cause of high levels of potentially toxic substances in nine individuals, mostly students.
Certain molds can cause allergic reactions such as wheezing, coughing and rashes. “We have a number of parents who are concerned,” Fulmer said.
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