Chad Daugherty, Superintendent Scott Bumgardner, Business Manager Jay Peters, Director of Curriculum For Immediate Release Huntington North High School Air Quality Report Follow-Up Huntington, IN, October 25, 2019 - On Tuesday, October 22, 2019, the Indiana Department of Health conducated a follow-up evaluation of the indoor air quality at Huntington North High School. This press release will address the findings in the follow-up report. Due to the results of the initial air quality report released on October 7, 2019, HCCSC Superintendent Chad Daugherty requested that the Indiana State Department of Health conduct a follow-up evaluation. The second evaluation was completed on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 and the results were made available to us today, October 25, 2019. The initial results of the air quality test indicated concentrations of carbon dioxide and humidity above the state recommended level. The second evaluation found the carbon dioxide level to be greatly improved after an issue with the outside air dampers was resolved. Additionally, the relative humidity level was in an acceptable range in all of the rooms tested. HCCSC is committed to working with the Huntington County Department of Health and the Indiana State Department of Health to ensure that the needs of our students and staff are met in keeping with the high standards of our corporation. A copy of the results from the Indiana State Department of Health is attached. About Huntington County Community School Corporation: HCCSC includes six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools, one high school, one alternative high school and preschool services. HCCSC is in partnership with the Huntington County Community Learning Center and offers many Career and Technical Education options for our students. The corporation serves all of Huntington County, including the communities of Andrews, Bippus, Huntington, Majenica, Markle, Mt. Etna, Roanoke and Warren. The students who attend HCCSC receive countless opportunities for academic, social and physical growth. October 25, 2019 MB3-99-RDC-#461 Mr. Charles Daugherty, Superintendent Huntington County Community School Corp. 1063 E, 900 S Warren, IN 46792 Dear Superintendent Daugherty: The purpose of this letter is to report the result of our indoor air quality evaluation of the Huntington North High School on October 22nd. This evaluation was conducted at your request as a follow-up to our October 1st inspection As no mold issues were identified during our October visit, no mold sampling was performed during this follow-up. The Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels inside were measured with the highest reading 824 parts CO2 per million parts of air (ppm) in room 134. The School Indoor Air Quality rule, 410 IAC 33-4-2 states “(a) “Outdoor Air shall be supplied to classrooms when occupied. (b) Carbon dioxide concentrations in the breathing zone shall never exceed 700 ppm over the outdoor concentration”, in this case giving a limit of 1053 ppm. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers) recommends 15 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of outdoor air per person for classrooms. The outdoor relative humidity was measured at 53 percent (%), and the indoor relative humidity had a range of 40 to 47%. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends the relative humidity in habitable spaces preferably should be maintained between 30% and 60% to minimize growth of allergenic and pathogenic organisms. Humidity levels above 50% have been found to increase the population size of molds, fungi and mites that may cause allergies. The evidence suggests that humidity levels should be maintained between 40% and 50% to reduce the incidence of upper respiratory infections and to minimize the adverse effect on people suffering from asthma or allergies. Such a range would be hard to maintain, however, exposure to higher or lower levels are unlikely to affect the health of most people. Based on sample results and our visual inspection we note the following: 1) 410 IAC 33-4-2 states “carbon dioxide concentrations in the breathing zone shall never exceed 700 ppm over the outdoor concentration”, The carbon dioxide concentrations were greatly improved and none of the rooms checked were above the limit. 2) 410 IAC 33-4-4 (b) states “Where provided air-conditioning systems shall be capable of providing and shall be operated to maintain a temperature not to exceed seventy-eight (78) degrees Fahrenheit and sixty-five percent (65%) relative humidity during periods of student occupancy.” The relative humidity in all the rooms checked was acceptable. 3) 410 IAC 33-4-6 (c) states “When a water leak or intrusion is discovered, corrective action shall be taken within forty-eight (48) hours.” Room 314 is now being used for storage due to the ongoing leak. Many of the stained ceiling tile had been replaced and staff were in the process of replacing more tile. 4) 410 IAC 33-4-4 (a) states “Heating facilities shall be capable of and shall be operated to maintain a temperature during periods of student occupancy not less than the following: (1) Sixty-eight (68) degrees Fahrenheit (F) in all classrooms. Some of the classrooms were below the minimum of 68 degrees. The temperature in the classrooms ranged between 65 and 69 degrees. 5) There were black streaks of dust and dirt on the ceiling tile around the air supply diffusor in the hallway between the auditorium and gym. We recommend anywhere where there are the black deposits around the diffusors the tile be cleaned or replaced. We understand it is not mold but is a housekeeping issue that should be addressed. 410 IAC 33 requires you to respond within 60 days of any actions you take based upon this report. The School Indoor Air Quality rule 410 IAC 33-6-2 requires this report, and your response to this report, to be posted for 14 days at the location of the school building stated in the report so they are accessible to all students, parents, and employees. Individuals experiencing any health problems should seek medical advice from a physician. If you have questions I can be reached at 317.682.9033. Sincerely, RON CLARK, Industrial Hygienist Indoor Air Section, Environmental Public Health Enclosure TABLE 1 Huntington North High School Computed Microbiological Air Sample Results Taken October 1, 2019 LOCATION Rm 314 411 223 Auditorium 701 125 140 Cafeteria 134 135 136 103 206 308 Outside NO. OF RELATIVE OCCUPANTS HUMIDITY (%) 0 23 24 10 0 1 0 3 27 17 6 1 0 4 --- 46 41 42 44 44 40 40 43 47 44 44 43 44 44 53 Notes: % ---------percent Ppm-------parts per million CFU/M3—colony forming units per cubic meter of air CARBON DIOXIDE (ppm) TEMP 609 515 489 439 669 468 391 380 824 629 509 480 501 549 353 68 69 67 67 67 69 67 65 66 66 66 66 67 67 56