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Board presses for timely air‑quality reports after elevated volatile organic compounds at Lowell High School
Summary
The Board reviewed December–February air‑quality reports for Lowell High School showing repeated elevated volatile organic compound readings tied to construction activities, and the board asked staff to request timely March reporting from the project contractor and consultant.
Board members reviewed three air‑quality reports for Lowell High School covering December, January and February that reported elevated volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in multiple surveyed areas and described remediation attempts tied to ongoing construction work.
The February report noted very elevated VOC readings on Feb. 24 in multiple areas, including at a mixing station near a wall where epoxy flooring installation had occurred earlier that morning. Inspectors found studs being cut near a wall in earlier walk‑throughs and reported cutting operations were stopped and shifted 50 feet away. Fans and barrels were placed to improve air circulation; structural work in one area was stopped pending remediation and some holes in a construction wall were patched during a later walkthrough.
The board told staff it had been waiting for a March report that had not been produced in time for the packet. A board member recommended the secretary write to the consultant and project manager to request timely delivery of future reports, and the chair said the board would sign such a letter.
"It would be helpful to the board if we received these reports, in somewhat of a timely manner," the chair said.
The board also reviewed a March 21 EFI Global sampling report for Pawtucket Memorial Elementary School included in the packet, which the packet described as showing acceptable results for that site. Staff said they would continue to press the project manager and consultant for the outstanding March Lowell High School report.
Ending: The board did not take formal enforcement action at the meeting but directed staff to request the missing March air‑quality report and to continue monitoring remediation at Lowell High School.
