Concerns About Carbon Dioxide At Middlesex Boro School

MIDDLESEX BOROUGH, NJ — The parents of children at Von E. Mauger Middle School in Middlesex borough are reporting a number of health issues in their children, and it may apparently be related to carbon dioxide at the school building.

The news was first reported by CBS 2, which reported that dozens of parents showed up Tuesday to pull their kids out of the middle school, as Middlesex County hazmat trucks pulled up to test the building. CBS 2 also interviewed Middlesex borough schools superintendent Dr. Linda Madison. Dr. Madison said that she wasn't aware of health issues at the school until "a number" of parents showed up at a recent Board of Education meeting to report that their child had not been feeling well at school.

"Headaches and lethargy have been the most common symptoms," said a Middlesex woman whose friend's children go to Van Mauger. "The legal limit of CO2 is 1000 parts per million and there were several classrooms tested that we're well above that limit. The teachers there even bought their own CO2 detectors. They've been a huge part of getting this issue recognized."

She said air quality tests were done and the level of carbon monoxide was safe in the building; however, the levels of carbon dioxide were not.

High levels of carbon dioxide can occur in stagnant, stale and stuffy air, such as when a school first turns on its heating system. While its nowhere near as dangerous as carbon monoxide, people have reported headaches, sleepiness, an inability to concentrate and even slight nausea.

Superintendent Madison said that the district is now well aware of the problem and has been working with OSHA and the county fire inspector to inspect the HVAC units at the school, she told CBS 2 reporter Meg Baker today. Until the problem can be fully identified and fixed, the superintendent said the best advice the district has received is to keep the windows open to allow air to circulate, she told the reporter.