NEWHALL DISTRICT STAFF BATTLES TOXIC FUMES; PAIR WORK TO KEEP VENTS CLEAN.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Daily News Staff Writer

Cautioned long ago that portable buildings can emit toxic fumes, the Newhall School District has a practice of cleaning vents and airing out the classrooms to make sure children are breathing clean air.

Two maintenance workers are assigned to regularly check heating and air-conditioning vents in the 112 portable buildings on the district's seven campuses, Newhall Superintendent Marc Winger said Wednesday.

``We are really aggressive,'' Winger said. ``The maintenance people are regularly checking vents and filter systems. And we air them out. There are standards in the industry for airing them out.''

Winger's comments were in response to a doctor's finding that toxic emissions in a portable classroom at Rio Vista School in the Saugus Union School District may have caused breathing difficulties, fatigue and other symptoms in seven students.

A consultant hired by the Saugus district found that the vents had never been opened in the new building, though tests showed levels of chemicals in the air were below federal standards.

Still, the Saugus district has directed officials at each campus there to check vents and make sure clean air is circulating through the portable buildings, said district spokeswoman Ellen Morgan.

In the Newhall district, a temporary school constructed entirely of portables is scheduled to open in Stevenson Ranch, Winger said.

``Our plan there is to get the buildings in by May, and we'll be airing the things out until we open,'' Winger said.

Also, the Newhall district has switched to portables that have concrete siding and steel framing, eliminating some of the materials that are made with chemicals including arsenic and formaldehyde, Winger said.

The Newhall district's maintenance program was borne of warnings from state health officials as well as cautions that come with the portable buildings, officials said.

The William S. Hart Union High School District has no policy in place for guarding against vapor buildup in its more than 200 portables, said Lew White, Hart's coordinator of facilities. White was unaware of any problems with materials that contain toxic chemicals ``gassing off'' and said the buildings typically sit open for several days before students use them.

``When relocatables are constructed, they sit for a long time after being constructed before they're delivered,'' he said. ``The state has to go inspect them before they're delivered. And when they're installing, that takes time. The doors and windows are left open while they're working on them.''

State health officials say they have issued advisories to school districts to make sure portables are well-ventilated to bring in clean air. Legislation is pending before the Assembly to require schools to train someone to monitor indoor air quality.