EPA Finds No Public Health Threat During Air Sampling at Waterloo’s Logan Middle School

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found no evidence of indoor air pollution that would pose a threat to human health or the environment at Logan Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa. EPA’s Region 7 office in Kansas City, Kan., conducted indoor and outdoor air sampling for a wide variety of organic pollutants from Oct. 10 to Oct. 11.

School staff members and students had complained in early October about odors at Logan Middle School. Investigation by the Waterloo Fire and Rescue and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) did not find the cause. DNR found no elevated concentrations of indoor air pollutants, so they asked EPA to do additional air sampling that could detect odors at lower levels.

EPA is ready to respond if the odors return and is offering air monitoring expertise and equipment to DNR and the Waterloo School District so sampling can be done immediately if odors are detected again. EPA also is offering additional analytical support if needed.

EPA is working with DNR and the Black Hawk County Health Department to determine if the odors might have been generated by irregular emissions from nearby industrial sources.

EPA will continue to be involved and work with the city, DNR, and the Waterloo School District to protect human health and the environment.