Minooka School District Conducts Air and Water Quality Tests

MINOOKA, IL — Minooka Community High School District 111 recently retained the services of Environmental Consultants, LLC to perform precautionary indoor air quality and water sampling and testing at MCHS - Central Campus in Minooka and MCHS - South Campus in Channahon. Sampling and testing was conducted from Sept. 12 through Sept. 15.

Specific services performed as part of this process included:

• indoor air quality and mold sampling
• electromagnetic field (EMF), extremely low frequency (ELF), and video display terminal (VDT) testing
• ambient monitoring for Toxic Organics-15 compounds
• lead in drinking water testing

Samples for the tests were collected from a variety of areas within both schools, and were then compared to control samples and/or regulatory standards. Results in most testing areas fell within regulatory standard ranges. Two concerns identified during testing services included:

• A mold concern was identified in Room 106 at Central Campus. Environmental Consultants, LLC, recommended further evaluation and cleaning of this room, which is not a room regularly used for instruction, in accordance with generally accepted guidance documents. The Univent unit for this room has since been inspected and cleaned by the school's heating and air conditioning contractor, and the room will be cleaned this weekend according to the specifications of the consultant.

• One water sample collected from a hand washing station in the South Campus cafeteria exceeded the recommended standard of 20 ppb of lead (the sample contained 41.8 ppb). This fixture was immediately removed from service, inspected for defects, and will have the supply lines and mixing valves replaced this weekend. One additional hand washing station tested at 15.6 ppb. While this sample falls below the recommended standard of 20 ppb, this fixture was removed from service as a precautionary measure, will be inspected for defects, and will have the supply lines and mixing valves replaced this weekend. Follow-up testing will be conducted early next week, prior to these stations being cleared for utilization.

"The purpose of this testing is to provide the District with a proactive approach to addressing potential environmental hazards within our schools," John Troy, MCHS District 111 Assistant Superintendent of Business and General Counsel said in a news release. "The safety of our students and staff is a priority of MCHS District 111, and we will continue to implement proactive efforts that reflect this."

photo via Minooka Community High School District 111