ISD Officials Respond

ISD Officials Respond to Polluted Stench at an El Paso Middle School

A removed water seal is thought to be the source of the foul smell that engulfed Brown Middle School in El Paso, Texas on Monday. ISD officials were called the scene when concern was raised over the scent. It was discovered that El Paso Water Utilities had removed the seal the day before without notifying ISD officials, and the seal has since been reinstalled.

Brown Middle School students and staff first reported the unpleasant odor shortly after the school’s opening. Experts believe that naturally occurring sewer gases that create low levels of hydrogen-sulfide in the air are responsible for the smell, and have assured students and faculty that it is not harmful to their health.
Despite assurances from professionals that the school’s population will suffer no ill health affects as a result of the situation, the incident has raised concern. Exposure to even small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. For those with asthma, it can also cause difficulty breathing. However, Brown Middle School students and staff were only exposed to .029 parts per million of the gas at its most concentrated point, which is considered a very small amount.

Following the ISD investigation of the school, extensive testing and observances were done to ensure the school was indeed safe. Along with El Paso Water Utilities, El Paso ISD is working to find the cause of the increase in odor and eradicate it.

Despite the fact that the hydrogen-sulfide is not causing any serious help problems, the Texas Department of State Health Services is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to do so until the pollution has been eliminated.