48 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • MARCH 2020
FAMILY & EDUCATION
NORTHPORT TOXIN TRANSFERS IMPACT STUDIES
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, long-term
exposure to benzene can lead to anemia
and cancer. Some short-term eff ects
are headaches, dizziness, irregular
heartbeat, and tremors. Low mercury
vapor concentrations over a long time
can cause neurological disturbances,
memory problems, skin rash, and kidney
abnormalities, the CDC reports.
It’s not the fi rst time a Long Island school
has been at least partly shuttered due to
toxins. A similar situation occurred at
three schools in 2019, when mercury
vapors were detected, forcing school
offi cials to close sections of Norman J.
Levy Elementary School in Merrick,
Park Avenue Elementary School in Amityville,
and Miller Place High School.
In those cases, the culprit was found to
be synthetic fl ooring.
In Northport’s case, well-documented
complaints about mysterious odors
making students and staff members
sick date back to the early 2000s. An
inspection done in May of 2017 showed
that there were higher than acceptable
amounts of airborne chemicals in several
classrooms.
Aft er the inspection was completed it
was discovered that the district was
using the school’s basement to store
petroleum-based products directly
underneath the classrooms kids and
teachers were spending hours in every
day. The items were removed, the
wing remained closed and kids were
able to return to classes as normal.
However, parents were still on edge
about where they were sending their
kids every day.
Aft er PWGC’s recent report, middle
school eighth graders were relocated to
the high school, seventh graders were
relocated to East Northport Middle
School, and sixth graders were relocated
to Norwood Avenue Elementary
School. But students who were among
those transferred say they feel ostracized
as a result. Middle schoolers in
the high school also don’t have locker
space and must lug all their belongings
around, students say.
“We are escorted to other parts of the
building and it is embarrassing,” eighth
grader Carly Ferara told the board. “We
are not allowed to walk around without
a sign on our neck basically stating that
we don’t belong there. The high schoolers
don’t want us there and I don’t blame
them.”
The board has been trying to allay
concerns. Before the meeting, Northport
East Northport Schools Superintendent
Robert Banzer emailed parents
to clarify what he said were inaccurate
media reports on the fi ndings of mercury
in the cesspool.
“While the lab testing of the sediment
showed an elevated level of mercury
in the sample, the preliminary results
showed no detectable concentrations of
mercury vapor in the sample, the rain
within the leaching pool, or anywhere
within the building,” he wrote. “It is important
that everyone understand that
the assessment of the environmental
concerns at Northport Middle School
is not about the district taking a position
or side that any individual or gripe
may have. It is about gaining closure on
those issues.”
As for the fate of Northport Middle
School, fi nal test results are due to be released
at the end of March or beginning
of April. The district will then decide if
and when students will return.
continued from page 47
“Let’s not pretend that the education is the same,”
said Kelly Schwartz.
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
