Roofing-glue fumes empty grade school for a second time

The parents of a student with a blood disorder complain that the superintendent is not taking the incidents seriously enough.

01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, November 11, 2003

BY MEGAN MATTEUCCI
Journal Staff Writer


NORTH KINGSTOWN --

Students at Stony Lane Elementary School were evacuated yesterday for the second time since Friday, after teachers complained of chemical fumes entering the school.

Students were sent home about three hours early on Friday, after glue fumes leaked into at least three classrooms during roof construction, Supt. James M. Halley said.

But workers finished the majority of the roof project Friday evening and students returned at the normal time yesterday morning, Halley said.

However, around 10 a.m., five teachers called the Fire Department, reporting chemical smells and symptoms similar to Friday, according to Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth A. Merritt.

Students were evacuated while firefighters tested the air levels. Students were outside for about 30 to 40 minutes, according to the police.

The air tests showed the chemicals were "extremely low and almost undetectable," according to a police report.

The students and teachers were allowed to reenter the building. No one became ill, Merritt said.

"There was no problem. The kids were only out for a short amount of time while the building was inspected," Halley said. "It was like someone pulling a fire alarm."

But parents argued that there was a problem and their children should not have been put in danger for a second time.

Stony Lane PTO President Lisa Johnson and her husband, Glenn, are calling for Halley's removal, arguing that his actions are irresponsible. The Johnsons said they had to take their 5-year-old son to Hasbro Children's Hospital for blood tests after Friday's evacuation.

Johnson's son has a blood disorder that could result in death if he is exposed to chemicals similar to the ones in the roofing glue, according to Lisa Johnson.

"[Halley] is crazy if he thinks it's not affecting other kids. It was right over the kindergarten room," Johnson said. "This was an act of negligence. He knew about it and let it go on. I'm extremely upset."

Halley said he was unsure whether any other parents had taken their children to the hospital, but no student was taken by rescue personnel.

"No students were taken by ambulance, just one teacher. But she's fine," Halley added.

Three children complained of minor eye irritation and were released to their parents, according to a police report. Teacher Jessica Dubois was taken to South County Hospital in an ambulance on Friday. She was treated for burning eyes, shortness of breath and headache, according to a police report.

The roof glue, Olybond 500, contains three extremely toxic chemicals that can cause nausea, dizziness, dry throat and eye irritation, said James Larisa, of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training's Division of Occupational Safety.

Workers from Wayne Roofing Systems of Norwood, Mass., were gluing insulation to the roof near a ventilation duct on Friday, when the fumes seeped into at least three classrooms, according to a police report.

Larisa said Friday's evacuation is under investigation, but the School Department is responsible for enforcing all health and safety regulations. The contractor should have notified the school before adding the glue, Larisa said.

Students at Forest Park Elementary have a three-day vacation this week, while workers replace the school's roof. Teachers have professional development sessions, but are holding them at other schools, Halley said.