Outline:
Parents Concerned Over High Carbon Dioxide Levels in Schools
Families in the Poland school district are expressing deep concern after discovering that their children’s schools have elevated levels of carbon dioxide. Breathing in excessive amounts of carbon dioxide can lead to serious health issues, including headaches, dizziness, and even nosebleeds.
Scott Lyman, a middle school student at Whittier Middle School in Poland, has experienced these symptoms firsthand. “I have a headache, and then I get light-headed,” he said. On one occasion, Scott left school early after experiencing three nosebleeds in a single day.
His mother, Amber Lyman, believes the high levels of carbon dioxide in the classroom are the cause of her son’s health problems. “Who knows what long-term effects this could have on my son?” she asked.
This is not an isolated issue. Tests conducted last year revealed that CO2 levels in all five RSU 16 schools were two to three times higher than what industry experts consider safe for prolonged exposure. Rae Irish, a parent at Elm Street School, shared similar concerns about her son and his classmates. “Headaches, nosebleeds—these are common issues they face,” she said.
Mechanical engineers point to aging boilers and inadequate ventilation systems as the primary causes of the problem. However, parents say they only became aware of the issue on Wednesday, which has led to frustration. “This information being released yesterday is a bit overwhelming because they’ve had it for a year,” Irish stated.
High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood can lead to a range of symptoms, including headaches, shortness of breath, and even seizures. Despite these risks, the superintendent and operations director have assured families that CO2 levels in the schools are still “below the CDC’s threshold at which CO2 becomes dangerous to life and health after eight continuous hours of exposure.”
They also clarified that the release of the data was not intended to withhold information. While prolonged exposure to high CO2 levels may affect cognitive performance, the situation did not constitute an immediate life-threatening emergency.
“Honestly, kids should be pulled,” Irish said, expressing her frustration with the current measures. For now, the district’s solution is to open windows to allow fresh air into the classrooms. However, this is not a feasible option during the winter months in Maine.
School officials have stated that they will continue to monitor CO2 levels in all the schools. They are also considering the purchase of CO2 detectors and fans to temporarily improve ventilation in classrooms.
Despite these efforts, the lack of funding remains a significant barrier to making necessary improvements. The superintendent and operations manager have not been available to speak with local media, but they have informed families that HVAC upgrades are costly and currently unaffordable.
“I understand it’s down to money, but something needs to be done,” Amber Lyman said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
