Oct 3, 2008 8:00 pm US/Eastern
Chemical Forces Preschool To Shut Down In Paterson
PATERSON, N.J. (CBS) ―
Some toddlers and preschoolers were evacuated from a private Paterson daycare center to another location Friday after elevated levels of a toxic chemical were found inside the school.
At the preschool, Michael's Energy Factory on Oliver Street, instead of students playing, there were 11 air purifiers humming away. The chemical dichlorobenzene was discovered in the air, leaving parents concerned.
"It's very bad. It is very bad, and very dangerous," says Rina Hannan, whose 3-year-old child attends the school.
About 275 children, from 3-months- to 5-years-old have been moved to Barney's Preschool on Main Street, also owned by Mary Ann Mirko, who says the toxin levels were a surprise.
"It's a shock. I'm still in shock," Mirko says.
Dichlorobenzene is used in toilet deodorizers and mothballs. It turns out the daycare center's building was used to produce mothballs until about 40 years ago.
The daycare company opened Michael's in 1999, and last year, state environmental testing found elevated levers of the chemical, but it was not thought to be dangerous. In March, higher levels forced the state to require air ventilators. But further tests resulted in the state health agency closing the preschool last week, moving the children elsewhere.
"It's a low level, you do not smell it," says Mirko. "It's a risk. I would say it's a risk."
Mirko contends to levels are elevated, but not dangerous, and says the ventilation will bring the toxin down to a level the state has determined is safe.
There's another air quality test scheduled for next week, and if it passes, the school could reopen.
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