by Phillip Zema
On Monday, November 29, a panel comprised of nine state and county level health officials met to discuss Berlin Elementary School’s lead problem. Currently, about 25% of BES students have been tested for lead, and 98% of those tested have blood lead levels less than 5 micrograms per deciliter of whole blood (mg/dl). No tested student had a lead blood level of 10 mg/dl or more, and so, according to NY State health standards, no student has an “elevated blood lead level.” Throughout the meeting, the panel encouraged parents to get their children tested, especially those who have children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years.
Initially, Dr. Carrin Schottler-Thal, the Co-Director of the Lead Poisoning Resource Center of Eastern New York, outlined a number of facts about lead. She stated that lead poisoning is mainly caused by ingestion, which is partially why infants and children six and under are more susceptible to contract it. She added that other less common causes include inhalation and prenatal transfer from the mother to the fetus. Her report stated that although lead has been banned in paint since 1978, the amount of lead used in the world has increased, mainly because of rising industry.
Her report also included the fact that in the 1960s an elevated blood lead level was constituted by 60 micrograms per deciliter of whole blood (mg/dl). The threshold for an elevated blood lead level, at least according to NYS Department of Health policy, has since dropped to 10 mg/dl. Schottler-Thal added that some studies have shown that lead levels between 5-9 mg/dl may cause neurological-cognitive disorders.
Other Panel Members
Andy McLellen, President of the Environmental Educational Association (EEA), was also in attendance. The EEA conducted the October lead test, and McLellen recapitulated the various short term and long term solutions the District must take to stabilize and encapsulate the lead. The NYS Department of Health was also represented by Rachel deLong (Director of Women and Children’s Health), Susan Slade (Manager of the Child Health Unit), Thomas Carroll (Environmental Health Director) and Eileen Franco (of the Department of Environmental Health). The Rensselaer County Health Department was represented by Mary Wachunas (Director of Health) and Richard Elder (Environmental Health Director). Finishing off the panel was Carl Thurnau, Director of the NYS Education Department of Facilities and Planning.
Questions From The BOE
After providing brief introductions, the panel was first asked questions by the BOE. BOE member John Nash was concerned about studies that indicate blood levels in the 5-9 mg/dl range can cause neurological-cognitive disorders. Dr. Schottler-Thal admitted that some studies confirm this claim, but it is difficult on an individual basis to decipher the direct cause of an existing disorder.
He also asked about the impact Berlin’s non-functioning ventilation system would have on air quality, especially since the windows must remain shut. Eileen Franco said that since lead is a heavy metal, it descends quickly and likely does not endanger air quality. She added that poisoning through inhalation typically occurs among people whose occupation exposes them to excessive lead dust levels.
Nash also inquired about why the lead issue was not addressed sooner. He felt various officials and state organizations, especially the NYS Department of Education, should have been more proactive regarding the BES’s condition. He thought, moreover, that State Ed. should have “recommended the District address the major health and safety issues before” additional children were moved into the building.
Carl Thurnau responded by saying that State Ed. does not get involved with issues regarding consolidation and the like; those are left to the BOE and voters. Moreover, he added that last December’s referendum, if approved by the voters, would have addressed many, if not all, of the health and safety concerns. Thurnau also emphasized that even if a school gets a failing grade, it does not mean the school is unsafe for use.
In a post meeting interview, Thurnau said that unless students are in danger or some public health threat is present State Ed. does not step in and force action, and he added that as of yet, no student meets the State definition for being lead poisoned.
Nash also asked about why there were not more soil tests conducted closer to the school; many of the tests were taken towards the playground area. McLellen claimed that tests were taken in areas where children were more likely to congregate. When this issue was brought up again, McLellen added that the experts conducting the tests followed a particular formula; as such, they tested areas more likely to contain a lead hazard.
BOE Member Alan Webster asked the Rensselaer County officials about a statement claimed by a local news network. The statement indicated that someone from their department said some Berlin students were found to have a high lead blood levels. Webster inquired about whether this statement was actually made, and both officials denied that it had happened. Webster also was concerned about whether the lead removed was being safely contained. McLellen confirmed that any removed lead would be properly containerized.
Christmas Break Work
Much of the stabilization and encapsulation work must be done when school is vacant, and so the District is planning to do such work over Christmas break. This time frame gives the District roughly nine days to complete the project. Accordingly, there was concern about whether the District had enough time to adequately stabilize and encapsulate the lead. McLellen said that preparation and cleaning alone could take up to six work days. He added, however, that he thought nine days was an adequate amount of time to complete the work.
An audience member asked what would happen if the project was not completed on time. Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian Howard replied that if more time was necessary, the District may consider keeping the elementary school closed for a few additional days. He added that if the work still was not completed, the District would consider holding double sessions at the high school. Howard, however, emphasized that these scenarios are very improbable.
Is There An Imminent Threat To Berlin’s Students?
BOE Member Beverly Stewart pointedly asked the panel if it thought the BES building was safe for students. An audience member pointedly questioned whether the panel members would send their children to BES. The general response from the panel was that the lead, according to the reports, was being controlled and no high lead level had been found in any student. Some added that, judging by the report, they would send their children to BES.
Lawyer Peter Danziger, who represents concerned citizens, expressed concern about the lack of external work being done at BES. He also inquired about whether the panel thought the presence of lead hazards posed an imminent threat to student safety – was it as dangerous as, say, a building fire? The panel did not reply to this inquiry and said that the lead, according to reports, was being controlled.
Questions From The Audience
The District has emphasized that cleaning efforts are working. An audience member expressed concern that increasing the cleaning efforts would be expensive; yet since the current cleaning procedures seem to be working, why aren’t they sufficient to get the District through the school year? The panel replied that while the cleaning procedures were effective, if the District wanted a long-term solution, it would need to eliminate or control the source of the lead dust.
It was also asked why health officials did not make lead tests mandatory, especially considering the harmful effects of lead poisoning. It was replied that New York State does not have a law mandating such tests. Accordingly, health officials cannot make people get them, even if doing so is in their best interest.
During one of the presentations, it was brought up that lead tests sometimes have a margin of error of 4. So, in principle, a person with a lead blood level of 1 could really actually have more lead in his or her blood. A number of audience members were concerned that the test results were somewhat unreliable. In response, many of the panel members suggested that the margin of error is merely a possibility and that the tests are typically reliable. But, given the nature of the testing equipment, it is at least possible that some tests might be off, though not necessarily by 4.
In closing, Thurnau said that some of the renovation work could be aidable. As such, he confirmed that new windows at the BES could be aidable by as much as 75%.
