DEQ lacks tools to help school’s aircon problems

The Division of Environmental Quality does not have the capability to conduct air sampling tests that will determine the real cause of fragments released by Kagman Elementary School’s air-conditioning units.

Since the initial result of the investigation conducted by the Board of Education, Kagman school already spent more than $1,800 only to change aircon filters of more than 160 units.

Kagman principal Ignacia Demapan disclosed that despite the filter change, Saipan’s youngest public school’s airconditioning system continue to pose health risks to students exposed to the fiber glass particles.

These concerns were already forwarded to DEQ which reportedly disclosed that the agency is not equipped with an air sampling equipment to help the school address the problem.

Ms. Demapan said DEQ officials told them to hold on as research for more information on the fiber glass particles from the airduct system continues.

DEQ reportedly told Kagman school administration that once the report is completed, a request for help from environmental experts in Guam will be made.

But teachers raised concerns that students have more than two months of school days and had spent more than six months inside their airconditioned classrooms where ventilation system is reportedly hazardous to health.

“We made the request to DEQ in March 30. We changed the filter in March 15. We spent so much for the filters but still we have the same problem,” said Ms. Demapan in an interview.

She added that the problem could be the duct system where the entire airconditioning units are hooked. She said some might be not working properly.

The Kagman community earlier raised fears that Kagman students might be facing grave health risks due to fiber glass particles they may have been inhaling inside their fully-airconditioned classrooms.

The concern stemmed from complaints made by teachers and parents that some KAG classrooms have constantly been swarmed with dust-like particles they have formerly mistaken as dirt.

But experts confirmed the crumbs that have been found lying on classroom floors are fiber glass particles emitted by the air-conditioning units inside the closed chambers.

BOE officials also asked KAG administration to conduct a comprehensive inspection to pinpoint other deficiencies in the school’s air-conditioning system and other physical aspects. (EGA)