Brown Middle School

1
Brown Middle School

• January 15, 2009

2
Concerns

• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Low levels may cause objectionable odor
• Health Effects

3
Goals Objectives

• Ensure safety health of students and staff
• Identify cause of odor
• Eliminate odor
• Keep parents and faculty informed of our progress

4
Parent Meeting

• December 17, 2008
• Agenda
• Overview of the issue
• District priorities
• Actions taken
• Questions and comments

5
Historical Timeline

• Brown opening 2007
• Odor began within first two months of occupancy
  Initially confined to Boys Locker Room
• Investigation of cause by District officials,
  building contractor, and design consultants
• Smoke tests, camera view, sewer system
  maintenance

6
Air Quality Standards forHydrogen Sulfide

• Odor Threshold - .0005 ppm
• OSHA PEL 10 ppm
• California (ambient nuisance odor) - .030 ppm

7
Air Monitoring

• December 5 December 15, 2008
• Boys Coaches Office
• 441 measurements
• .004 ppm average concentration
• Second Floor Library
• 194 measurements
• .002 ppm average concentration

8
Air Monitoring

• December 16, 2008 January 5, 2009
• Boys Coaches Office
• 954 measurements
• .015 ppm peak concentration
• .001 ppm average concentration
• January 5 8, 2009
• Northeast Corner of Gym
• 145 measurements
• .006 ppm peak concentration
• .002 ppm average concentration

9
Winter Break Activities

• Camera and smoke tests
• Acid traps
• Kitchen grease trap
• Ventilation systems
• HVAC systems
• Toilet fixtures
• El Paso Water Utilities

10
Current Status

• January 5-7 No odors reported
• January 8 Girls locker room, outside, 2nd
  floor, nurses office
• January 9 and 12 Outside
• January 13 Upstairs
• January 14 Upstairs, Boys locker room
• Odor is not as strong and dissipates quickly

11
Next Steps

• Additional consultation Texas Department of
  State Health Services, Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality, El Paso City Environmental
  Services, El Paso Water Utilities, Texas Gas
  Service, City Building Inspection Services
• Re-route vent pipes
• Installation of activated charcoal filters
• On-call crews
• Continued air monitoring
• Air scrubbers

12
Future Communications

• School messenger
• Principals letter
• Periodic meetings
• Parent input

13
Questions or Comments
14
Thank You