I am new to this and I hope I am not bringing up an issue that has already been investigated. However, due to the recent issues hurricane Katrina victims are facing with their government supplied modular living spaces, (http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/02/14/fema.trailers.ap/index.html?eref=rss_health ) I thought I would list information found on portable classrooms.

According to Thad Godish Ph.D., C.I.H, the construction and sitting, and climate control of portable classrooms is in fact very different from permanent classroom spaces. For example, floors in portables are made from wood materials such as oriented-strand board, CDX plywood, and likely in some cases particleboard. This differs considerably from the concrete floors that are typical of permanent classrooms. Wood materials bonded with adhesives are more likely to emit volatile organic compounds than concrete flooring. In some cases that may mean exposures to significant levels of formaldehyde. Resultant formaldehyde levels may be sufficient to cause mucous membrane symptoms and general symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.

Also, mold exposure, inadequate ventilation, and/or exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde can cause other health issues to building occupants, particularly very young children, whose exposure is greater because of their relatively small body mass.

Fact: Modular Classroom, relocatables, Portable classrooms… whatever you want to call these prefab structures, are not built to be permanent structures. These are low cost, temporary solutions.

I think Baltimore County should start investing in permanent structures for our children and teachers, rather than having to hire attorneys to fight class action law suits related to health issues from these portable structures in the future.

It does need to be repeated…our children and teachers deserve better.

References and Resources below
• Collaborative for High Performance Schools

• California Advisory on Relocatable and Renovated Classrooms

• California Portable Classrooms Study

• IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit. Hardcopy available from U.S. EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse, 1-800-438- 4318.

• Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers. Superintendent of Documents 202-512-2250.

• Builder’s Guide for Mixed-Humid Climates. Energy and Environmental Building Association and Building Science Corporation. 2001. www.eeba.org

• Indoor Air Quality / School Facilities Documents. (a set of 15 documents, such as “Maintaining Acceptable IAQ During the Renovation of a School”, “Maintenance of HVAC systems and IAQ in Schools”), Maryland State Department of Education, Schools Facilities Branch 410-767-010