Kyrene Elementary School District Superintendent Laura Toenjes reported in a letter Aug. 12 that no substantial harmful elements were found in air test results following the closure of Kyrene de la Sierra at 1122 E Liberty Lane in the Ahwautukee Foothills neighborhood in Phoenix.
However, the report by Phoenix-based testing company Dominion Environmental Consultants Inc. showed what it called “severe” levels of volatile organic compounds in one classroom consistent with painting or varnishing.
“All compounds with published exposure limits were all well below the established exposure limits,” Toenjes told families in a statement.
The test showed severe levels of “coatings” which include paint, varnishes and other chemicals associated with them. All other tests were reported as “normal.”
The school was closed Aug. 4 after concerns about air quality resulting from constructin elements of their roof replacement project that many families are alleged are harmful to students and staff.
During an Aug. 5 school board meetiong, Sierra mom Jessica Spargo said that areas in the school smelled like “tons and tons and tons and tons of paint thinner and tar.”
Paint thinner is not specifically listed in the Contamination Index Categories listed by Enthalpy Analytical, which administered of the test conducted by Dominion. But the test did conclude that there were “normal” levels of toluene-based chemicals like thinners and lacquers.
Kyrene stated they will not comment further regarding the tests.
Sierra students are predicted to return to their campus in mid-October after the school’s two week fall break.
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