Danger In The Air

Term Paper Title	Danger In The Air
# of Words	457
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	1.83

danger in the air


     Is there danger in the air at the North Intermediate School in Wilmington?  Apparently carbon
dioxide levels have been found to be above acceptable levels in some class rooms.  According to a report dated Dec. 9, 1996, by ATC Associations, an independent consulting firm hired by the Town of Wilmington to conduct Indoor Air Quality and Microbiological testing at the school.  �All indoor  air quality parameters were within normal guideline ranges with the exception of consistently elevated levels of carbon dioxide and low relative humidity levels throughout the school,� said the report.
     High levels of carbon dioxide indoors can be a sign of poor ventilation in a building.  Carbon dioxide is an odorless gas which can cause discomfort at lower levels and act as a mild narcotic at higher concentrations.  According to the Dec. 9 report, �If carbon dioxide levels exceed 800-1000 parts per million(ppm), the ventilation system is not effectively working.�
     At the Wilmington School Committee meeting on Feb. 12, school Superintendent Dr. Geraldine A. O�Donnell stated that there was a complaint of a musty odor in one of the class rooms after heavy rains on Nov. 6.  There were also complaints of nausea and headaches from numerous students.  The room was  inspected by Roger Lessard, Public Building Superintendent.  Mr. Lessard found the o...

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