A group of parents with children at a middle school has initiated legal proceedings against their public school system following carbon monoxide issues at the aging Virginia school facility, reported Cardinal News.
The parents' lawsuit comes after a January incident in which dangerous gas levels led to the Covington Middle School's closure for six weeks after safety inspectors discovered carbon monoxide leaking from the cafeteria's gas stove exhaust system.
A second incident with the detection of an unknown odor in the school in late March — after students had returned — ultimately spurred the parents to action against the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, according to the news report.
The legal filing indicates that some students continued showing elevated carboxyhemoglobin in their bloodstream, which parents believed stemmed from prolonged exposure before the leak was identified. The lawsuit sought alternative learning arrangements and the closure of the 75-year-old building.
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"This is a public health crisis that demands attention from every level of government," said John Fishwick, the attorney representing the Covington parents in their lawsuit.
On April 23, a judge denied the request to close the schools this school year, though some parents were still fighting back and disputing the safety of the school, reported local station WDBJ.
Although the school's safety is in dispute, this case shows how outdated building heating systems and gas appliances can create serious health concerns for you and your loved ones. When gas appliances don't burn fuel completely, they release carbon monoxide, a gas you can't see or smell that can make you sick or worse.
You can make your home safer by switching to an induction stove that uses electromagnetic technology instead of open flames. This modern appliance reduces risks and cooks your food faster and generally costs less to operate than traditional gas or electric ranges. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, you can receive a federal rebate for costs associated with a new induction range in certain qualifying scenarios.
But suppose you rent your home or aren't ready for a complete kitchen update. In that case, portable induction burners give you many of the same benefits in a compact form. These units start at just around $50, though they are not currently eligible for the IRA rebates.
The financial incentives may not last forever. President Donald Trump has stated he wants to eliminate these subsidies to reduce federal spending, so acting soon could save you thousands of dollars. Since significant changes to the Inflation Reduction Act would need congressional approval, the program's future is uncertain.
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