February 10, 2014 Ms. Marytelen Pieroe Director of Maintenance and Operations Everett Publi Schools 2222 Everot Avenue Everett, Washinglon 98201 RE: INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND [LnrreD Drunkana WATER INVESTIGATION NoRTH MDoLE SCHOOL. 2514 RAINIER AVENUE EVERETT, WASHINGTON EMB Consulting Project Number 1173 Dear Ms. Pierce, Ins later report summarizes te resus of an indoor environmental quailty (IEQ) Investigation for North Midale School in Everett, Washington. Several staff members at the school report health symptoms that they associate with spending Ume in the school buldings. Other school staff report uncomfortable bullding conditions or intermittent odors. The objective ofthis investigation was to define the IEQ concerns forthe North Middle Schoo! buildings and evaluate potential contributors to IEG complaints. In addlion, a few staff expressed concem about drinking water quality in the buildings based on signs posted near some sinks recommending thatthe faucets be fused before drinking the ‘water, To address those concerns, a select number of drinking fountains and sinks in the School were sampled and the water analyzed for lead content ‘This report presents the IEQ and limited water investigation findings and recommendations ‘The report Is organized to provide background, methods used forthe investigation, results, conclusions, and recommendations. Figures are attached that ilustrate sample locations fr alr ‘monitoring and water testing. Finally, aboratorycerificates of analysis are attached forthe air ‘and water samples collected as part ofthis investigation, SITE BACKGROUND North Middle Schoo isa ingle evel brick structure on @ concrete slab on grade. The three primary school Buldings were orginally constructed in 1881, with significant additions incded [1990 and 2009. Two buildings provide basic classroom space, designated as Bulding 1 in the southeast portion ofthe campus and Bulding 2 along the westside. A third building nthe northeast portion ofthe campus provides gymnasium facies and music classrooms. A alley ws consucrve LLc “Po ROX:H74*LyMNWOOD, WASHINGTON 2069162305 EMBLACKCONSULTEGMA, COMefines the west side ofthe school property, with commercial developments on the other side of the ally. Figures 1 and 2, attached to ths report, demonstrate the layout afte school buildings. ‘During the fal of 2013, some schoo! staff at North Middle School reported concems about building conditions. Several have reported more frequent common linesses, such as sinus infections and colds, sinee the beginning ofthe year. There have boon a few water Intrusion events, which have raised concerns about potential mold growth inthe bulldings. In the fl there was an HVAC unit leak in Building 2 and water invusion under an exterior door an into Classrooms during a storm event, In addition, the school has had a history of intermittent odors that raised concems about the alr quay. Finally, signs posted near some sinks in the school requesting thet the water in the line be flushed before using the faucet have made staff question ‘he quality ofthe drinking water. Everett Public Schools engaged EMB Consulting in November 2019 to evaluate employee ‘concems and conduct an investigation to evaluate IEQ inthe buildings. EMB Consulting was ‘also tasked with limited drinking water sampling for lead content. METHODOLOGY Site Inspection and Interviews (On November 5, 2013 and December 27, 2013, Elsabeth Black, CIH of EMB Consulting, conducted a visual inspection of North Middle School in Everet, Washington. The visual inspection was conducted to Identify obvious potential contributors to poor IEQ, such as mold growth, water staining, heavy dust accumulations, damaged bulding materials, etc On November 20 and 22, 2013, Eisabeth Black also conducted interviews with staf who texperiencing health symptoms that they associate with spending time in the bulding or stat ‘who have other concems about IEQ, Including bulding comfort and odors. Following is ais of Staff Interviewed, the location of thet office or classroom at North Middle School, and date of the Interview EQ Investigation and Water Investigaton North Mdsle Schoo! February 10, 2014 Page?Table 4: interview List ‘Staff Member Tesation [Date ofinterviow ‘Susan Azevedo Room 206 (Classroom) T2215, Louanne Baker: Room 226 (Classroom) 11-20-13 ‘Boug Butler (Gymnasism 11-20-13 ‘Ashley Coo ‘Gymnasium 11-20-13 Michelle Cook Room 108 (Classroom 11-20-13, Kien Fitzgerald ‘Room 218 (Classroom) 11-20-18 ‘Cynthia Gaub Room 121 (Art Room) 11-20-18 > Ed Glazer Room 213 (Classroom) 11-20-18 ‘Barbara Hagetom | Main Office 11-20-13 ‘Kenleigh Kelly Liar 11-20-13 Rod Margason: Room 117 (Science Classroom) | 14-20-13, Tern Odell Main Orfce 11-20-13 Rochelle Schultz | Room 221 (Classroom) 11-20-18 Koly Statema Liber 11-20-13 Jenny Steote ‘Counseling Offs 1-20-13 Monica Sullvan ‘Room 224 (Ciassroom 1-20-13 Rebecca Vigil ‘Room 227 (Classroom 1-20-13, Air Sampling for Mold and Other Particulate (On December 27, 2013 and January 17, 2014, Elsabeth Black conducted ar sampling to ‘evaluate te indoorlouldoor rao of mold spores and other particulate in several locations at North Middle School. Mold can cause allergic reactions or iritation in sensitive individuals. If ‘mold particulate fs present in higher concentrations indoors than outdoors, itmay indicate an Indoor mold reservoir. In addition, the presence of some other particulate indoors may cause initation to eeneitve individuals and may indicate inadequate firation of outdoor air or uncontrolled indoor contaminant sources. ‘The aie contaminants targeted by the sampling were fungal particulates (non-vable) and other Particulate. Air samples were collected using A-o-Celkcassettes that function as sit Inmpactore. Each at sample was collected by drawing ar (by means of a Zefon Bio-Pump") through the cassette fr 8 10-minute period. ‘The particulate matter present inthe air “impacts” {and sticks to a greased slide mounted Inside the cassette. The pump was calibrated toa tow Fate of 15 liters of air per minute (pm) using a rotameter in the feld in accordance wit ‘manufacturer's recommendations, ‘The rotameter was itself callorated to a primary standard ‘Sample locations were selected based on the results of the staf interviews and the location of past water inrusion events. On December 27, 2013, 12 samples were collected from indoor paces, wih two samples collected outdoors for comparison. One ofthe 12 samples had an {Unusual result, 60 EMB Consulting returned to North Middle School on January 17, 2014 0 repeat sampling in that location (refer to Table 2, amples 1173-10 and 1173-10-02). {EQ investgaion and Water Investigation ‘North Mie Schoo! February 10,2014 Pages‘Air samples were hand-delivered to EMLab P&K for forensic analysis by direct microscopic ‘examination, Refer tothe attached Figure 1 for sample locations. Resulls for alr samples re presented in Table 2 below. Laboratory analytical results ae also provided as an attachment to this report Drinking Water Sampling for Lead On December 27, 2013, Elisabeth Black conducted water sampling for lead from targeted sinks ‘and drinking fountains n the three bulléings. Lead has commonly been used in plumbing materials and water service lines. Lead typically antes tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Buldings constructed before #986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and Solder. The Environmental Protection Agenoy (EPA) regulates lead in drinking water in schools with an allowable Imit of 20 micrograms par iter (ug/L). I lead is detected at concentrations texceeding that mit. the EPA recommends that schools take measures to reduce exposure to Tlead through drinking water. Lead is usualy detected in highest quantities when a water ine has been siting unused for an tended period of time, which allows fr lead to leach into the water as itis inthe pipes. One lof the simplest ways to teduce exposure to lead isto fush the lines before use. The signs posted at North Midale School, that recommend allowing the faucets to run before drinking the ‘water, may have been posted to prompt the user to fush the tne ‘The EPA recommends that drinking water testing be performed after sinks and drinking fountains have not been used for at least sx io eight hours to demonstrate a worst case" seenario for lead accumulation in drinking water. "first draw” sample Is recommended, which Is the capture of the frst water to come out ofthe faucet or fountain after an extended period of ‘non-use, For thal reason, the wate testing fortis investigation was conducted in the mile of ‘Winter Break, when the wate ines hd not been used fr atleast six days. EME Coneulting collected “rst draw samples from the following locations: + two sinks and two drinking fountains in Building ¢ + two sinks and two drinking fountains in Building 2 + one sink and one drinking fountain in the Gymnasium building ‘Sinks and drinking fountains were selected based on likely highest use, such asthe kitchen and staff lounges. The ten samples were hand-delivered to AmTest Laboratories in Kirkland, ‘Washington for total lead analysis by EPA Method 200.8. Results for water samples are presented in Table 3Dslow. Refer to te attached Figure 2 for sample locations. Laboratory ‘analytical reulls are also provided as an attachment to this report. 1EQ vestigation and Water Investigation Neath Mids School February 10, 2018 Pages‘SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Site Inspection and Interviews During the visual ingpections of the North Midle School interior spaces, the buildings seemed relatively clean and free of any obvious contours to poor IEQ. EMB Consulting didnot see “any remaining evidence of water intrusion, deteriorating building materals, or ther conditons of During the interviews, 17 employees reported information about their experience with IEQ or health symptoms that they associate with spending time at North Middle School. In the interest ‘of providing confidentiality to the interview parliclpants, the results ave been summarized by ‘concem, as follows. + When reporting health symptoms, 14 of the 17 occupants reported symptoms that hey associate with spending ime in the bulking, to include: Increased incidence of colds and sinus infection ‘Scratchy or sore throat Congestion Dry cough ‘Stuffy oF runny nose Eve iitation Headaches General malaise and fatigue ‘The symptoms seem to have begun during early fal of 2013. All employees with symptoms reported that the symptoms are bettar when they are away from work, but ‘worsen upon return to work + When reporting building comfort, 14 of the 17 people stated that the environmental control temperature and air exchange) di not produce a consistently comfortable workspace (eg. 00 warm or cod, sty) ‘+ When reporting odors, 13 of 17 people complained of odors, characterized most frequently as food odors. Some inerviewees alo reported odors that resemble chemicals at imes and described speci incidents where emergency responders were called to the schoo to investigate odors. Several employees reported concems about ‘Vehicle exhaust odors coming from the auto body shop across the alley tothe west. Air Sampling for Mold and Other Particulate ‘Airsample results for mold and other particulate are presented in Table 2 below. Sample locations are provided on Figure 1. The samples were analyzed by direct microscopic ‘examination by EMLab P&K in Bolnel, Washington. Full analytical reports are attached to this report {EA Investigaon and Water Investigation ‘North Me Schoo! February 10,2014 PagesTable 2: Results of Air Samy by Spore Trap - Mold and Particulate ‘Sample | Sample 1D Location Results 1173-01 | Gymnasium | + Al mold spore counts vary low and below outdoor Gis Locker ‘comparison by count and species, Room + Light background debris. + Particulate resus do net identiy contaminants of cconcem by count or type. THTSD2_| Gymnasium | > All mal spore counts very tow and below outdoor Room 303 ‘comparison by count and species * Light background debris. + Partoulate results do nat dent contaminants of concer by count or type 7173-03 | Buiding2— | ~ Al mold spore counts very iow and below outdoor Room 218 ‘comparison by count and species. + Light background debris. + Particulate results do nat identty contaminants of cconcem by count or ype. T173-04 | Building 2 | * All mold spore counts very iow and below outdoor Room 219, ‘comparisan by count and species. + Light background dobre + Particulate results do not enti contaminants of ‘concem by count or ype. 7173-05 | Bulding 2 Girls | + All mold spore counts very iow and below outdoor Bath Northwest. | — comparison by count and species, + Light background debris. + Particulate results donot identity contaminants of ‘concem by count or ype. 7173-08 | Bulling 2 Gifs | ~ All mola spore counts very tow and below outdoor Bath Northeast | comparison by count and species. + Light background debris. + Partulate results donot identity contaminants of ‘concer by count or type 717307 | Bulling2- | ~ All mad spore counts very iow and below outdoor Room 228 comparison by count and species. + Light background debris. + Particulate results donot identty contaminants of concer by count or type. TH7S08| Bulking 2 Gis | + All mal spore counts very low and below outdoor Bath South End ‘comparison by count and species. + Light background debris. + Particulate results do not entty contaminants of concern by count or ype 1EQ vestigation ané Water Investigation Nth Maio Snot February 10, 2018 PogoSample | Sample 1D Location Results 1173-09 | Bulding {~~ | + All mold spore counts very iow and below outdoor Room 121 (Art | _ comparison by count and species. Room) + Light background debris. + Particulate results do not Ident contaminants of ‘concem by count or ype. THTS-10_|Bulding T= | * All mld spore counts vary tow and below outdoor ‘Atendance comparison, except for two Stachybotrys spores. Office * Light background debris. + Parioulate results donot identify contaminants of ‘concer by count or type. Ti73-10- | Bulling 7- | » All mold spore counts very Tow. 02 ‘Atendance + No Stachybotrys spores identified Office * Light background debris. + Partulate results do not ident contaminants of concem by count or type. 7173-17 | Building 7= | > All mold spore counts very Tow and below outdoor Room 117, ‘comparison by count and species. (Science Light background debris Classroom) | + Partulate results do not Kent contamina oF ‘concem by count oF ype. 7173-72 | Building 7 | > All mold spore counts very ow and below outdoor Janitor Closet | " comparison by count and species. + Light background debris. + Particulate results do not ident contaminants of ‘concer by count or ype. TiTSAS | Outdoor ‘Dutoor Comparison Sampie = Courtyard between Comparison | Building 1 and Bulg 2 Sample ~ Courtyard between Building 4 and Builsing 2 T7174 Outdoor ‘uidoar Comparison Sample — Eastside of Building T Comparison | at Ofice Entrance Sample — East Side of Building Tat Office Entrance IEA Investigation and Water vestigation Nort Md Senoo! Febroary 10, 20%‘With the exception of one sample from the same location (1173-10), the Indoor samples didnot ‘show alroome concentrations of mold or other particulate that would incicate @ health hazard or typical conditions where people with maid allergies would be affected. The Indoor spaces ‘ested have ight concentrations of background debris, indicating a relatively clean indoor ‘environment, None of te particulate resulsindlate substances of concer, either by presence ‘or count, Skin alls dominate all indoor samples, whichis typical for a school setting. From the fst day of sampling on December 27, 2013, Sample 1173-10 from the Attendance Office was reported to contain two spares of staahybotrys, 2 mold species associated with ‘active water inrusion and Indoot mold growth. Elisabeth Black retumed to North Middle School ‘on January 17, 2074 to conduct @ more detaled visual inspection and repeat sampling in that trea, The sample was collected from the same lation, The results from the second sample {id not identity stachybotrys. (On January 17, 2014, Eisabeth Black thoroughly inspected the Attendance Office for any sign of active water Intrusion. A review of the area above the suspended celing didnot reveal any signs of curent or past water infusion None ofthe surounding building materials, Incuéing floors and walls, hd signs of water damage or moisture. In addon, there did not appear be ‘any water Ines in close proximity tothe Atendance Ofice. Finally there was no odor that right indicate mold growth in the area, Drinking Water Samples for Lead Drinking water sample results for lead are presented in Table 3 below. Samples that exceed the EPA drinking water chteria of 20 ull are presented in bol type. Sample locations are provided on Figure 2. Full analytical reports are attached to this report. The samples were ‘analyzed by inductively coupled plasmalmass spectrometry (ICP/MS) by AmTest Laboratory in Kirkland, Washington. 1EQ Investigation and Water Investigation North Midst Set February 10, 2018 Pages‘Table 3: Results of Drinking Water Samples for Lead T73-DFI-1 | Bulling 1 ~ North Hall ‘inking Fountain TATS-DF2A | Bulking 1~ South Hall ‘inking | 622 Fountain 7173.51.4_| Building = Room 123 ‘Sink | 2880 71173-52-1_| Bullaing {Kitchen Sink [11.70 A73-DF¥-2 | Bullaing 2— North Hall Drinking | 6.41 200 Fountain TiTSDFE2 | Balding 2 South Hal Drinking | 1840 Fountain 7473.87-2 _| Building 7= Room 222 ‘Sink | 25350 1173.82-2 | Building 2 = Room 219 ‘sink | 23.40 {A7DFI | Gymnasium = SW Hal Drinking | — 243 @ Fountain {A73-S1-6 | Gymnasium=Boys’ Locker | Sink | 3410 Room Four ofthe 10 samples contained lead in concentrations higher than the EPA criteria of 20 ug. {All four samples with exceedances are sinks at North Mile School. For the fve sinks tested, the average lead level was 24.3 pgi. None of the inking fountain samples exceeded EPA cilia, For the five drinking fountains tested, the average lead level was 10.8 yg. CONCLUSIONS ‘This assessment employed a numberof methods to evaluate common sources of EQ complaints to Include mold, pariculate, and environmental conditons. Drinking water was also tested from a select number of sinks and fountain fom all three buildings. Following is alist of specie concusione from tis Investigation: + With the exception ofthe Attendance Office, mold testing did not enti any species or ‘spore counts that indicate an indoor mold reservolr. + Retesting ofthe Attendance Office didnot idently the mold species of concem. A ‘careful inspection of te Attendance Office area did not identty water intrusion or ‘damage in the space above the suspended calng or inthe surrounding bulding materials. In adlton, there was no mold odor ceported by sta Inthe area or notices ‘daring inspection. Wappears thatthe fst result of Stachybotrys in the Attendance Office ‘does not indicate water intusion or @ mold reserorin the Attendance Office. IE Investigation and Water Investigation North Mie Schoo! Febroary 10,2014 Pages. Paiculate testing troughout the school didnot identity particulates of concern, thor by ype or count. Most of the odors reported resembled exhaust or food odors, tkely duo to the proximity ofthe school to a stip of commercial bulidings that ine Broadway Avenue, including restaurants and an auto body shop. Domestic water was found to contain lead above EPA limits in four ofthe fve sinks targeted for this Investigation. Drinking fountains tested were nat found to have lead above EPA crtera RECOMMENDATIONS EMB Consulting offers the folowing recommendations to addres staf concems and investigation findings: EMS coneulting recommends having each employee keep a dally IEG log to determine it there is a pattem to the time of year, time of day, o type of symptom thal can be tied to some bulling or environmental condition. ifthe IEC complaints persist, this information may be useful during fture investigations Everett Publi Schools maintenance staff may wish to attempt to balance the ventiation system so that outdoor odors are less kel to initvate the schoo! To address the finding of lead in sink drinking water at North Middle School, EMS Consulting recommends that Everet Publc Schools implement the guidance provided by the EPA in Drinking Water Best Management Practices for Schools and Child Care Faaliies Served by Municipal Water Systoms. EME Consulting recommends that Everett Public Schools install water fiers on al sinks ‘with potable water st North Middle School, n accordance with the EPA guidance. Its mmy understanding that Everett Pubic Schools i already in the process of procuring ‘water fiers that meet the guidance criteria. There is no need to place fits on sinks ‘that provide non-potable water or for sinks where drinking Is unlikely .g., mop sinks, Tab and at room sink). None of the drinking fountains exceeded the EPA ortera for drinking water, EMB Consuting does not see a need to fiter drinking fountains at North Middle School at tis, time. IEQ Investigation and Water investigation Nn Mace School February 10, 2018 Page 10TATIONS ‘Work fortis project was performed and this report prepared in accordance wth generally accepted professional practices for the nature and canditions of the work completed inthe samme Orsimilar locales, atthe time the work was performed. Its Intended for the exclusive use of Everet Publi Schools and ils cent for specife application tothe referenced site, No other warranty, express or Implied, Is made. Sampling was limited tothe specie conditions and locations presented in his report. Sincerely, €. Bb Ke Elisabeth Black Ceriied Industrial Hygienist Attachments EMLab Pa, EMLab IO 1184641, January 6, 2014 EMLab P&K, EMLab ID 1161501, January 20, 2014 ‘AmTest, January 6, 2014 References: Environmental Protection Agency, Drinking Water Best Management Practices for Schools and Child Care Facies Served by Municipal Water Systems, 2013 IE Investigation and Water investigation Neth Mice Senoot February 10, 2016 Page tt