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UPDATE: Like a new car, school buildings smelled funny but now cleared for class

6 years 7 months 2 weeks ago Tuesday, August 08 2017 Aug 8, 2017 August 08, 2017 10:50 AM August 08, 2017 in News
Source: WBRZ

ST. AMANT – School officials believe an odor in some unused temporary classroom structures was caused by summer heat exacerbating the release of smells associated with new materials.

In a note to parents this weekend, the school district said odors smelled inside what's called “T-buildings” at Galvez Middle, Galvez Primary, Lake Elementary and St. Amant High have mostly disappeared. Previously, the buildings were being ventilated with special equipment.

The situation was highlighted by a WBRZ report Friday.

Balloon like plastic bags were installed to the windows of the buildings after environmentalists, air quality and engineering experts tested the buildings. Tests have come back clear of any dangerous chemicals, the school district said.

"... We began suspecting that the source of the odor was typical off-gassing of newly manufactured materials as is with a new house, new car, new carpet, etc. Heat tends to exacerbate such off-gassing and those buildings with little or no use were simply not properly ventilating those smells,"David Alexander, Superintendent of Ascension Public Schools, said.  

"The smells were temporarily trapped and accumulating."

Read a note about the situation sent to parents from Alexander HERE.

Click HERE to see the original WBRZ report. 

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