Parents pull kids out of Dartmouth school over air quality concerns

Several students have been pulled from a Dartmouth elementary school by their parents after reports of poor air quality at school.

According to multiple emails sent to Global News, parents became concerned for their children’s safety at Ian Forsyth Elementary School after several students reported headaches and nausea.

Many parents have pointed to ongoing roofing work at the school as a source of the air quality complaints.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia school cancels BBQ after ‘dozens’ of students develop gastrointestinal illness

An email sent out to parents on Wednesday afternoon, informed parents that despite students detecting “offensive odors,” a third-party had determined that the school is safe for both students and staff.

“Many parents/guardians are concerned about the level of Benzene,” wrote Andy MacNeil, supervisor of schools for the Halfiax Regional School Board (HRSB), in the email, referring to a component often found in gasoline or petroleum products.

According to the World Health Organization, exposure to benzene can have a range of “long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer and aplastic anaemia.”

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“To clarify, this was an issue separate from the roof, which originated in the boiler room. It was addressed immediately,” said MacNeil.

“HRSB Operations staff followed up with the consultant today. They have confirmed the school is safe for occupancy.”

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Air quality report

An air sampling report released on HRSB’s website on Wednesday, indicates that tests were carried out on Feb. 22 with the goal of finding out if volatile organic compounds had entered the school during roof renovations.

Results indicated that the testing company, All-Tech Environmental Services Limited, found elevated levels of benzene. However, no conclusive value would be determined for the gas.

They did determine that the roofing was not at fault and was likely caused by something else in the school.

The company concluded in their report that the odour in the school was not hazardous to students but may cause discomfort.

Parents respond

Todd McKay told Global News that his son was told by his teacher to call his parents to come get picked up.

Timothy Halman, MLA for Dartmouth East, said he visited the school this morning and alerted the Department of Education.

Several parents have told Global News that the school won’t confirm anything about the concerns over air quality.

Global News has reached out to both the Department of Education and Halifax Regional School Board but has yet to receive a response.