Parents protest west-end schools toxic tar roofing

A group of concerned parents are holding a demonstration to protest a TDSB decision to permit tar roofing repairs during school hours at a Toronto west-end school, which they say is noxious and giving their children headaches and nausea.

The protest began at 8 a.m. in front of Ossington/Old Orchard Junior Public School at 380 Ossington Ave., between College Street and Dundas Street West.

Last year, the school board struck a deal with AMP Solar Group Inc. to install solar panels at 311 schools that would generate power for about 4,250 Toronto homes, and as part of that deal the company would repair badly needed repairs atop school roofs at some 32 schools.

The repairs began at the Ossington school on Thursday and the concerned parents say the tar kettle where the tar is heated emits some serious fumes. A number of kids were sent home with complaints on Thursday and Friday, said parent Heidi Pyper. Her daughter complained of a sore throat but her classmate felt she had been punched in the throat, she said.

I cannot believe that they are taking this cavalier attitude about our kids health, she said.

Pyper added that parents have been told the work could continue for another two weeks. A number of families opted to keep their kids home on Friday and some with asthma had to use their puffers as did several teachers.

Parent Sandy Pedrogao, who has two children at the school, told CityNews in an email, They have advised that we tape off some of the doors and not open the windows (this will be terrible with the weather forecast for next week). The forecast is for 28 C on Monday.

The board said on its website that there are no long term effects from the tar fumes, that people with respiratory problems should avoid the exposure to the fumes and that the symptoms will go away once the exposure ends.

TDSB spokesman Ryan Bird added the citys public health inspector visited the site and didnt identify any health-related issues.

To address the parents concerns, the school will take extra steps to reduce the odour and increase ventilation, he said.

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Parents protest west-end schools toxic tar roofing