WASHINGTON — A Northeast D.C. school has experienced several gas leaks in the last two weeks. Investigators said they now know the source of the most recent odor to spread through the building.
Staff evacuated Langdon Elementary School on Tuesday after some people inside the building said they smelled gas.
The DC Department of General Services [DGS] oversees construction within District of Columbia Public Schools [DCPS]. The agency said Tuesday’s smell was not gas, but instead an odor that resulted from an improper combustion inside a malfunctioning HVAC unit on the school’s roof.
"The unit has been turned off and removed from service, and temporary heaters have been placed in impacted areas to ensure temperatures remain comfortable for occupancy," DCPS Chief Operating Officer Patrick Davis said.
DGS said at no time during Tuesday’s incident was natural gas detected within the school building’s walls.
However, three gas leaks did occur at the school prior to the improper combustion issue. District officials characterized the leaks as "very small" and added that they were not connected to the improper combustion issue. The leaks were traced to two rooftop HVAC units and a basement boiler room unit.
"The safety of both students and staff at Langdon Elementary School is of utmost concern to the Department of General Services," Keith A. Anderson, Director of the Department of General Services, said. "I am pleased that our teams have quickly discovered the source of an unpleasant odor within the school and that a permanent solution will soon be put in place."
A spokesperson for Washington Gas said permanent repairs will be made during winter break.
DCPS said a third-party industrial hygienist has also installed air monitors in the school to detect gas.
"Since these measures have been put in place, all readings for gas and related pollutants in the air have come back negative," Davis said.
A representative from DCPS attended a Parent Teacher Organization meeting at Langdon Elementary Thursday night to talk to families about the issue.
Parent Kimeca Murray attended the meeting. She said she was concerned about the potential health effects gas exposure could have on children.
"I just want to make sure that it is all clear for our kids to come to school," she said.
One parent told WUSA9 their son had experienced headaches at the school the same week gas leaks were reported to have occurred on the premises.
Another parent, LaShawn Potts, said she has already taken her child out of the school over the gas leak issue.
Murray, however said she was encouraged by DCPS’ promise to permanently fix the problem in the near future.
"I hope that is truly the case," she said.
Other parents said their students have enjoyed their time at Langdon Elementary so far, despite its recent infrastructure issue, and one called it a good learning environment for children.
