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By MARK GUYDISH [email protected]
Tuesday, June 22, 2004 Page: 3A
KINGSTON – Environmental health risks prompted the evacuation of the
Luzerne Intermediate Unit’s Tioga Avenue offices Monday, and no one knows how
long the exile will last.
Executive director Michael Ostrowski said roughly 50 employees were moved
to the LIU’s Alternative Learning Center in Plains Township after air-quality
tests raised “a concern with a product we’re using” in the Kingston
building.
Ostrowski would not give specifics, saying he is waiting for advice from
the state Department of Health. But LIU board member Randy Tomasacci said he
had been told there may be a problem with chemicals in a cleaning solvent used
in printing operations.
Ostrowski said several employees experiencing health problems asked for the
air-quality test. One was done in January and found no hazards, but employees
asked for a second test, which was done in May.
When the results showed there might be something harmful in the air,
Ostrowski said “to ensure the safety of all concerned we thought it would be
prudent to leave the building.”
Equipment was moved and phone lines were transferred to the Alternative
Learning Center, a school for children with behavior problems too disruptive
for regular classrooms.
The center is in the old Plains High School, but no classes take place in
the summer, and many of the rooms are unused even when school is in session.
The LIU provides a variety of services to area districts, particularly
special education. It runs some summer programs, but those weren’t affected,
Ostrowski said.
There’s no way of knowing how long the staff will be at the center. “It
could be three days; it could be three weeks,” Ostrowski said. He faxed
results of the air-quality test to the state Department of Health on Monday
and is waiting for its input.
LIU staff handled the move, so the cost has been low, Ostrowski said, but
they are keeping track of expenses because it may be covered by insurance.
The monthly LIU board meeting slated for tomorrow also will be moved to the
Alternative Learning Center.
Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161.