Faulty furnace blamed for symptoms among school pupils
Repairs force new evacuation of 74 pupils
Fumes and particles from a faulty oil-fired furnace are believed to be the cause of symptoms suffered by some pupils at the Lehmijärvi school in the Southern Finnish town of Lohja.
On Friday public health inspectors detected small particles and combustion gases in the air near the school’s furnace room.
Officials suspect that seals in the oil burner were not properly installed during a recent repair, and that the school’s ventilation system may have carried the impure air from the cellar into other parts of the school.
Last year the school underwent repairs because of a mildew problem. The fungus was suspected again when pupils in the fifth and sixth grades started fainting during a gym class.
"The pupils started feeling bad, and many had to be carried out into other rooms for a rest", said headmaster Hannu Makkonen.
The City of Lohja decided to temporarily move classes elsewhere as of Wednesday as a precaution.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 14.9.2004 - TODAY |
 Faulty furnace blamed for symptoms among school pupils |
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