The Abeltex Story in Queensland | Streaky Bay, South Australia | One Mother's Story in Canberra 

The Abeltex Story in Queensland. 

Abeltex glazecoat, a tough durable polyurethane product, was used on the floors of a number of primary and secondary schools in Far North Queensland. After the Ravenshoe school was coated in 1991, 18 adults + 10 children developed a range of disabling symptoms ( 7 x asthma, 3 x MCS, 4 x Liver complaints, 3 x skin rashes, 9 x headaches, and 1 miscarriage.) 

Isobutyraldehyde and Xylene exposures are the probable cause of these symptoms, due to the use of excess xylene and insufficient drying time between coats. Chronic symptoms of xylene exposure include liver, kidney, skin, brain effects and memory loss, all noted on surveys. Isobutyraldehyde exposure causes skin and liver damage. The Ravenshoe school was closed in 1993, and litigations are still in progress. 

Despite this disaster, two new schools, opened in 1994, were given the same flooring treatment. At Redlynch school, a documented total of 41 children suffered from headaches and nausea predominately.7 adults and 9 children have suffered continuing ill health and 3 adults have been subsequently diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. This school has been "remediated", but never closed.
Herberton school staff & students suffered a similar fate.The school was closed the same year. The P&C initiated their own health study in '95, prompting a goverment - initiated study which resulted in an attempt at a "clean-up". The school was then closed again.
QUOTE : Redlynch parent ( Sept. '95 ) " My daughter was effected by the floor at the new school in "94. Headaches, mood swings, chest complaints, nausea and sore eyes. But it was not until she was moved this term to a new "abeltex" free classroom that she became the little girl she was, before she came to the new school. She's now better: her moods are almost perfect in comparison. The symptoms have all but gone and I thought she was better after remediation - but that was nothing compared to her now. There is a definite difference! . Though the classrooms are better since remediation, they aren't perfect. I will consider a change of schools if my daughter is placed back into abeltex areas as it is obvious to me that she is still effected in some way by it. " 

Streaky Bay, South Australia 

In July 1986, Streaky Bay Area School in South Australia was treated for a serious white ant problem. The Insecticide Aldrin mixed with liquid was pumped through holes which were drilled into concrete floors. This extremely toxic chemical seeped back into carpets throughout the school, particularly where children often sat on the floor. Cleaners had found pools of the chemical in classrooms, toilets, the foyer and library. 

The Pest Control operator reportedly drilled holes through the floor (including carpeted floor) one metre apart. Dieldrin was then placed in the holes. The holes were not plugged (as he should have done). The school is also bulilt over sand. It was high tide when the treatment was administered. Apparently these conditions would normally disallow such treatment. The Dieldrin spurted out in the canteen, there were puddles of the stuff in some areas, the carpet was soaked in areas.
Children's bottoms were damped from sitting on the carpet! Some put their
fingers down the holes!

An Action Group consisting of parents and teachers was set up to address the concerns of chemical poisoning. 

A health survey set up by the Parents Working Group, was conducted in 1997. Out of the 97 parents surveyed, 52.6% said that they were concerned for their child's health in relation to the contamination. 44.3% indicated that if they were able to, they would have already withdrawn their child from the school. 

An unusually high percentage of children where complaining of nausea, headaches and behavioural problems. Symptoms started to present; headaches, vomitting, convulsions, blackouts, fatigue and behaviour changes.These symptoms are typical of acute poisoning from orgaochlorines. Subsequently many of the children and some teachers from the school have become sensitized to all chemicals. 

Parents investigated resulting in the Health Commision testing the carpet.
14 grams per sq metre af dieldrin was found. (apparently it is stated that
1.25 g/sq metre can be fatal). The school was then closed to allow for decontamination with solvents (probably almost as toxic). There was retesting including air.A Melbourne institution took samples form the library and found 250 mlg/kg of chlordane.
A task force was set up including local council, teachers' union, parents
and Kate Short (to make sure adequate testing would be performed). She was
unfortunately forced out and an alternative laboratory was nominated to analyse further test samples.
Eleven children left the school to be either home schooled or to travel 120
km to nearest school.No Newsletter adressed the issue. Parents who took a
stand on the issue were harrassed, accused of telling lies and being
unco-operative - resistance to these parents was encouraged.
The task force came up with samples showing lower levels of toxicity.
However the carpet was removed. Later more samples were taken (on the
quiet) Skirting boards from library were removed.

Even though certain parents would tell their kids not to sit on carpets at
the school, they were forced to. In some cases disiplinary action was taken
if those kids disobeyed the requests from teachers to sit on it. 
There are about 200 kids at the school. About 25 families are still
fighting for justice!

At the time of the contamination Aldrin had already been banned from Canada and the USA. It was banned in Britain in 1989. It is no longer produced anywhere.
 

Mathew at five and a half years appeared to be bright and alert, and interacted well with others. However he was at times having profound insecurities, his head "felt funny" and his "tummy hurt". He was also having frequent uncontrollable outbursts. 

As there was no obvious cause for these problems at home, I decided to volunteer in his kindergarten classroom. Half an hour into the morning lesson, the teacher instructed the children on the topic of the stories they were to write. Mathew was coping fine, his teacher even commented to me on how well he was writing. The children were finishing up their stories when she placed glue pots on their tables ready for the next activity. Mathew suddenly started to cry and clung onto me pleading with me to take him home. Surprised with this sudden change, his teacher asked me what had happened. Confused, I answered that I thought the glue must be affecting him. She mentioned that it was the glue that has been used in schools for years and that it was "non-toxic". 

This led me down the path of discovery. I conducted an "audit" of all products used in the school and with quiet a lot of research, revealed that many products contained ingredients that were unsafe for asthmatics, allergic and the chemically sensitive, including the glue. Mathew was later diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. He cannot tolerate the perfumes, glues, paints, certain felt pens and many other items found in the school environment. 

Two products, including one used to clean the children's desks, contained a solvent which is so toxic that the US Environment Protection Agency cannot recommend a level of exposure that would be safe. The products at Mathew's school are typical of what other schools use. 

There would be many children suffering from the effects of chemicals, with symptoms such as headaches, behaviour problems, hyperactivity, fatigue, concentration and learning problems, moodiness and many, many more. It is one thing to witness the effects of these chemicals. It is heartbreaking when your child begs you to "tell them not to use the things that make me sick" as Mathew has time and time again. 

I urge all parents of school age children to be aware of the type of chemicals your children are being exposed to. We send them to school to get educated, not to come out the other end with health that has been compromised, causing all sorts of complications.