'I'm very upset': Waterloo parent takes issue with handling of air filter units in school
Rolled out across Ontario during the pandemic as a means to reduce airborne viral spread, a Waterloo parent is taking issue with how the public school board is using its HEPA filter units in classrooms and has kept her child at home for the entirety of the calendar year thus far because of what she sees as a failure to address air quality in class.
Late last year, the concerned parent — whom CTV News has agreed to identify only as Amanda due to fears of harassment in bringing up these concerns — rushed her then four-year-old child to hospital as he struggled to breathe. Amanda says the ordeal turned into a two-week hospital stay and a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia.
“They had to put him on [intravenous therapy], antibiotics, and we went through over a dozen X-rays and blood draws, and it was just an awful experience for him and myself as a parent,” she said in an interview.
Amanda says her doctor advised a six-week stay at home to recuperate following his release from hospital on January 2.
According to Ontario Health, pneumococcal disease is blamed for the death of nearly 500,000 children under five years old every year around the world.
To help ensure a safe return to class, Amanda requested the classroom keep windows open, ensure the HEPA filter unit was operational and its placement was unobstructed. She says her request was denied, and as such, has kept her son home — missing more than 46 days of in-person learning.
“I’m very upset,” she said. “I’m quite frustrated to be completely honest. I feel like a lot more should be done to keep a five-year-old in school, especially with what has happened in the last few years.”
Amanda adds an assessment of air quality in the classroom was done, with its results shared with her indicating air quality was “adequate,” but a Freedom of Information Request would be required in order to see the report for herself.
“We should be doing a lot more to make it as safe as possible for our very youngest and our most vulnerable,” she said.
WRDSB RESPONDS
In an email to CTV News, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) indicates inspections are carried out monthly in its efforts to prioritize health and safety.
“Each school has a dedicated ‘workplace inspection team’ that conducts monthly inspections of the physical condition of the school,” reads part of the statement from WRDSB.
“The WRDSB has assessed and fine-tuned all Mechanical Ventilation systems board-wide to maximize fresh air in all HVAC systems,” continues the statement.
In its most recent ventilation report, released in August 2022, the WRDSB indicates there are 3,504 HEPA filter units deployed across its schools, and 86 ventilation projects have been completed.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qnVNveGTXw5TybxHVBdozpurMs1YXDOi/view
A further $12.2 million is budgeted for 26 projects that are either planned or in progress.
The WRDSB did not accommodate a request for an on-camera interview, and its statement did not respond to our questions about Amanda’s specific concerns.
CTV News also requested a copy of the air quality assessment report completed at Amanda’s school, but that was not addressed.
WRDSB STATEMENT
The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) prioritizes workplace inspections to ensure compliance with legislative requirements outlined in the Occupational Health & Safety Act. Each school has a dedicated “workplace inspection team” that conducts monthly inspections of the physical condition of the school. WRDSB is committed to ensuring that schools are safe for students and staff.
With a combination of provincial, federal and Board of Trustees approved funding, the WRDSB has made significant improvements to ventilation in schools. The WRDSB has assessed and fine-tuned all Mechanical Ventilation systems board-wide to maximize fresh air in all HVAC systems. Classrooms with inadequate mechanical ventilation have received improvements such as HEPA filtration units, HVAC system filter upgrades, windows that open, and other measures to support sufficient air circulation.
More than 3,504 HEPA units have been deployed throughout the system based on the ventilation needs of classrooms, building on the existing HEPA filter units and ventilation devices already in schools.
We continue to work closely with the local public health unit and follow the Ministry of Education’s ventilation guidelines, to create safe and healthy schools.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.