Vancouver Public Schools is working together with Clark County Public Health about possible lead exposure at Hough Elementary School. Since our message to you on May 17, the district has consulted with PBS Engineering and Environmental, a local company, for lead testing and cleaning at the school.
On May 25-26, PBS tested window sills and blinds in 10 rooms including the cafeteria. All of these areas tested below the Environmental Protection Agency standard of 240 micrograms per square foot for window sills and blinds. PBS also tested all classroom tile and carpeted floors. All classrooms except one were well below the EPA standard of 40 micrograms per square foot for floors.
The federal government is moving to new standards. We want to use an abundance of caution and meet the new stricter standard.
Over the weekend, an EPA-certified cleaning crew thoroughly cleaned window sills, blinds and floors at the school. The district will continue to regularly monitor and clean problem areas using certified cleaning practices.
Planning is underway to replace the windows at Hough during the summer of 2020. The project is part of planned upgrades at Hough using money from the bond measure passed by voters in 2017.
If you have concerns about lead exposure, talk to your health care provider. If you have questions, contact Public Health at 564-397-8182 or the school office at 360-313-2100.
You can learn more about lead exposure on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/parents.htm.