Strange Odor Continues to Plague School

AP
Sioux City Journal
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Waverly, Iowa (US):
The source of a recurring smell at West Cedar Elementary School still remains a mystery, a year after it first surfaced, school officials said.
While tests show particle levels are below Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety standards, the district plans to seek a doctor's review of the data, Emmert said. The smell has puzzled the district for a year and prompted complaints from teachers and students about headaches and other symptoms.
The school board has given administrators authority to move two classrooms and a resource room that appear to be problem areas.
The problems began in November 2004 when students and teachers began smelling what they described as ammonia, bleach or solvent. The district has replaced cabinets, carpets, doors and concrete in an effort to eliminate the smell. Furnaces and ducts were cleans and exhaust fans installed.So far, the district as spent $170,000 to locate and solve the problem.
Nov 24, 2005