Board questions construction-linked VOCs at Lowell High; contractor says mitigation steps taken

Board of Health members pressed contractors on elevated volatile organic compound (VOC) readings at Lowell High School and asked for clearer remediation reports before classes resume. The board reviewed a monthly air-quality report that showed background VOC levels elevated in several locations, with the highest readings along a temporary wall between Building A and Building B. Board members asked whether sampling for elemental carbon (diesel particulate) had been done and what remedial steps followed the May readings. Contractor Justin Lyons of Suffolk Construction said company crews and the school-construction team investigate immediately when complaints or elevated readings are reported. "It's hard to identify when there is an issue like this of where exactly anything's coming from," Lyons said, adding that sources inside the school such as perfumes or cleaning sprays can also raise readings. "The best thing we can do is eliminate our activities from being the possible issue." A Skanska representative said crews go into "mitigation mode" on notice, checking for breaches in barriers, stopping work if welding or other activities may be causing fumes to enter intake systems, and restoring ventilation as needed. The representative said some welding that had previously occurred was moved to second-shift hours to avoid student exposure. Board members asked for more specific remediation details to accompany future test results. One board member said baseline readings should be taken "before school starts" and requested that future indoor-air reports include explicit notes on what corrective actions were taken the day elevated levels were recorded. Contractors said construction areas will be consolidated to the East Side of the canal once school reopens in August, and areas closest to ongoing work will be blocked off. Contractors also said they do not allow trucks to queue on adjacent streets as a routine practice. Discussion-only items included whether elemental carbon sampling should be added; contractors offered to coordinate with the testing firm (Cashin's) and to provide baseline testing before the school year begins. No formal board vote or regulatory action was recorded on the issue during the meeting. The board asked that future reports clearly state the remediation steps taken on the days when elevated readings occurred.