Wing of new Seattle school is closed over strong odor; kids show symptoms
Seattle Public Schools will close a second-floor wing at its brand-new South Shore K-8 building until it can figure out why some students and staff members are experiencing itchy eyes, rashes and other problems.
Seattle Times education reporter
Seattle Public Schools will close a second-floor wing at its brand-new South Shore K-8 building until it can figure out why some students and staff members are experiencing itchy eyes, rashes and other problems.
"We're taking this action ... to ensure that their health, safety and comfort are taken care of," said district spokeswoman Patti Spencer. "We will do whatever we need to do to track down the issue and fix it."
Students and staff first complained about strong odors in January, Spencer said, and the district initially did tests that focused on one room. The odor seemed to go away when the heating and air-conditioning system was on all the time, she said. Since spring break, however, that system was off at night, she said.
On Monday, one week after spring break ended, staff and students in several sixth-grade classrooms on the second floor again reported a strong odor, Spencer said.
Some parents also said that their children complained of difficulty breathing, and some had red, itchy eyes and rashes. Paul Patu, who has three children at the school, said he saw one sixth-grader faint Tuesday
