Physicians' Reports Released on Health Issues at High School

EDUCATION--Physicians' Reports Released on Health Issues at High School

Students, teachers and parents of children who attend Barrington Municipal High School were told today, June 16, that an exact cause of a rash and other symptoms that are affecting some students and staff has not been found.

Dr. William Harvey of Halifax and Dalhousie University epidemiologist Judith Read Guernsey assisted the Department of Education and the South West Regional School Board in an investigation into the cause of the rash at the school. They met today with staff, students and community members to release their reports on the problem that first appeared among some students in March 2002.

Dr. Harvey analysed the results of air and other environmental tests. While he found several factors that could potentially have an impact on the health of staff and students, including poor fresh air circulation and the presence of mould, he could not determine a specific reason for the sudden appearance of the symptoms.

"It is quite likely there are a large number of causes to this complex problem, rather than a simple explanation," said Dr. Harvey. "It is fair to say that not all of the causes of the Barrington Municipal High School rash are known."

Dr. Harvey noted that there have been fewer complaints since the Department of Education made numerous improvements.

Dr. Harvey also met on Sunday, June 15, with the 17 individuals who provided blood and urine samples on May 8. While individual test results are confidential between the patient and Dr. Harvey, the department has been provided with an overview of the results.

They show small amounts of mould toxins were found in all of the test subjects, both those who attend or work at the school and those who do not (six are students in the school, eight are teachers and three are adults with no affiliation to the school).

According to Dr. Harvey, the mould toxins are naturally occurring, although individuals react differently to their presence. Also, antibodies to mould and mould toxins were detected in patients who were exhibiting rash symptoms. This suggests a possible allergy to specific mould types and mould toxins. Formaldehyde antibodies were discovered in one person, this is not considered to be clinically relevant.

However, Dr. Harvey said that because of the small number of volunteer test subjects, it is difficult to make any definite conclusions as to the cause.

Dr. Guernsey's study involved the collection of epidemiological survey data voluntarily supplied by staff and students to three nurses at the school from Dec. 5, 2002, to Feb. 21, 2003. The school has a population of about 750 students, teachers and other staff. A total of 77 people filed 117 reports during the period, with skin rashes, itchy or dry eyes and mucous membrane irritation being the most prominent symptoms.

"The data suggests that symptoms were confined to about 10 per cent of the student population and were not widespread," said Dr. Guernsey. "On any one day not more than one per cent of the entire school population reported symptoms."

"The doctors' reports released today show just how complex the problem at Barrington Municipal High School has been," said Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "But despite the frustration of not knowing an exact cause, we'll continue to do what's needed to protect the health and safety of the students and staff at the school."

The department has already responded to some of the suggestions made by both doctors. Among them, students who experience medical symptoms and wish to be transferred can apply to do so. Many students attend school in portables brought onto the site. The junior high school wing where the most severe symptoms were experienced has been closed and sealed off from the rest of the building. Air exchangers and air cleaners have been installed in the senior high school wing.

Also, the school is adopting a reduced-scent policy in September and will be implementing the environmental risk management program, Tools For Schools. More work will be done this summer on drainage around the school and to completely separate the junior high wing from the rest of the building.

On June 11 Education Minister Angus MacIsaac announced a new junior/senior high school would be built to replace Barrington Municipal High School at a cost of $11.5 million, with an expected completion date of September 2005.