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Stink at Abbotsford school prompts complaints of headaches, nausea

The smell is coming from an unauthorized composting operation and has incurred 15 WorkSafeBC claims
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King Traditional Elementary School in Abbotsford Photo courtesy of Abbotsford School District

An extraordinary stench at an Abbotsford elementary school has been the subject of 15 WorkSafeBC claims, according to a report to the school board.

The school board is set to hear this evening that air quality issues at King Traditional Elementary School has been ongoing since March 2017, due to an unauthorized composting operation across Bradner Road.

“The Ministry of Environment has requested staff and parents report concerns through the air pollution RAPP line. In addition, 15 WCB claims have been filed by staff in relation to ongoing symptoms such as headaches, sore throat, watery eyes and nausea,” the report says.

“At the end of the last school year, it had appeared that efforts were being made by the owner to improve the odor situation as there was some modest improvement noted by the school.”

The ministry has sent a warning letter to the company, according to the school board report, outlining “various areas of non-compliance with regulations.”

The matter will be presented for information only at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Abbotsford School District.

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Dustin Godfrey | Reporter
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