Sierra House update: VOC air quality tests returned showing safe levels

DECEMBER 2, 2018 - The fifth update from Sierra House Elementary School in South Lake Tahoe since their November 11 fire has been released, and the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) sample results have been returned.

While there are trace amounts of various compounds that are associated with every day use, all samples tested well below the regulatory levels. These results along with yesterday's sample on asbestos all showing negative results, school will be open on Monday, December 3.

"As expected, the presence of various Volatile Organic Compounds were detected in each sample, however all concentrations were compared to regulatory OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and/or Time Weighted Averages (TWAs) and found to be well below these regulatory levels. All lab results are provided in PPB (Parts per billion by volume)," said Nate Seward, Industrial Hygienist.

He said that many of the VOCs found are also found in over-the-counter household cleaning products and personal items like fingernail polish remover and rubbing alcohol. He also said these can also be in everyday items used in schools like dry erase markers and sharpies.

A few of the detected VOCs can also be found in citrus odor masking agents and perfumes, likely those used by Servpro during the deodorization process according to Seward.

"Nevertheless, I have no concerns related to these air sample results which were collected from Upper Pod (all classrooms), Portables 1-7, MPR, hallway and Staff offices and lower pod (all classrooms)," added Seward.

The following were results on detected compounds in each of the six test areas at the school in parts per million. They tested for over 80 compounds. If they don't show up here there were no detections in any of the areas.

Chloromethane - 0.80, .79, .80, .76, .76, .96
Butane - 0, 0, 3.1, .86, .80, 0
Ethanol - 300, 1800, 94, 86, 280, 610
Isopropyl alcohol(2-Propanol) - 15, 15, 4.9, 22, 84, 19
Acetone - 14, 12, 12, 11, 23, 32
Acetonitrile - .62. .68, .73, .80, 0, .79
Tertiary butyl alcohol(TBA) - 0, 2.5. 0. 0, 0, 0
1,4-Dichlorobenzene - 1, 0, .53, 1.0, .94
Acetaldehyde - 0, 0, 0, 0, 1.5
1-Butanol - 0, 2.7, 0, 0, 2.3, 4.7
n-Propyl acetate - 0, 0, 0, 0, 1.5
Nonanal - 0, 1.2, 0, 0, 1.3, 3.1
Hexane - 0, 0, .52, 0, 0
Ethyl acetate - 0, 0, .70, 0, 0, .59
Toulene - 0, 0, 1.2, 0, 0, .54
Butane, 2-methyl- 0, 0, 2, 0, 0
Pentane - 0, 0, 1.3, 0, 0
Pentane, 2-methyl - 0, 0, 1.3, 0, 0
Cyclopentane, methyl - 0, 0, 1.0, 0, 0
unknown hydrocarbon - 0, 0, 1.0, 0, 0, 1.7
D-Limonene - 0, 0, 20, 3.4, 1.3, 7
1-Propanol - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 3.9
Hexanal - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1.3
Undecane - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2.8
Acetic acid, phenylmethyl ester - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1.1

The complete report can be viewed here: http://www.ltusd.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_2738240/File/District/Public%20Notice/Sierra%20House%2...

South Tahoe Now will continue to post updates being generated since last week's PTA meeting where parents asked for more communication.