West Kelowna elementary school shut down by ‘stink’

Staff and students at a West Kelowna elementary school were sent home today, Nov. 28, because of smells coming from recent construction.

The crew used a smelly sealant that was too strong for the school.

Students were moved to a nearby middle school after the lingering odor from the sealant being used on the school foundations disrupted classes, a School District 23 news release said.

“While operations staff confirmed that the air quality in the school was safe, workers are replacing all ventilation filters in the building out of an abundance of caution and students and staff did not return to their classrooms for the rest of the school day,” the news release said.

The students were given lessons in the gym at Helen Gorman Middle School and parents were notified where to pick their children up.

The school district is testing all schools for radon and, while all of them are registered in the safe range, mitigation is being done on any schools that approach the lower level deemed to be safe by Health Canada.

Two areas of Helen Gorman Elementary School showed levels close to that standard after recent tests.

“Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the ground and is found in all buildings, including schools and homes,” the news release said.

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