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Acting Health Commissioner Fern P. Clarke continues to urge residents to seek medical care following the increase in complaints to the Department subsequent to a series of foul odor events causing symptoms such as skin irritation, itchy eyes and nausea.
Health officials received reports of staff and students at John H. Woodson Junior High School, Central High School and Charles Emanuel Elementary School complaining of the symptoms noted. It was the third day of school disruption at Central High School. Thursday, officials at the Charles Emanuel Elementary School reported that more than 20 individuals, including students and staff, exhibited symptoms as a result of the odor in the area.
District Health Officer Dr. Marc Jerome is advising residents with compromised immune systems to stay indoors and avoid affected areas. Residents who experience significant adverse symptoms should seek medical care.
Health officials remain in contact with its partner-agency, the Poison Control Center of Jacksonville, Florida, as well as the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Both agencies also advise that persons who previously experienced symptoms should avoid re-exposure.
Health officials were on the scene at both schools. Though the origin of the odor has yet to be determined, a low level concentration of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) was measured by a sensor on Wednesday. Sulfur Dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent odor that comes primarily from activities such as the burning of coal and oil at power plants or from copper smelting, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
Both the Hovensa Refinery and Diageo Company, which is near the vicinity of Central High School and Charles Emanuel Elementary School have indicated there have been no releases at their plants.
On Thursday, the odor appeared to be shifting to different areas.
“There was no smell at Emanuel School when we first got there, but as we were leaving, it became strong. The odor was apparently occurring intermittently,” Director of Public Health Preparedness, Francine E. Lang said.
Health officials toured both schools along with representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as local representatives from Fire and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. VITEMA also was present on Tuesday and Wednesday’s events.
The Department of Health, along with other government agencies continue to investigate and will alert the public as information becomes available. |
