The college of Artix (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) is temporarily closing its doors. A hundred college students have been suffering from discomfort for several months while the structure has been renovated.
Headaches, dizziness, difficulty in breathing… For two months now, more than a hundred schoolchildren have been victims of discomfort at the Jean-Moulin d’Artix college (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). In total, as many as 188 cases have been reported, the majority having occurred since the end of March.
“In accordance with the position of the Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS) in Aquitaine”, the ARS of Aquitaine indicated in a press release that it recommended a suspension of courses within the college of Artix. The Academy inspector followed this advice: as of April 9, at least until the end of the week, teachers will no longer exercise. “The college remains open but no education will be provided. The pupils who will present themselves will be welcomed in premises which did not pose any difficulties ”, specifies the inspector of Academy to the newspaper Sud-Ouest.
A survey with 5 school doctors
The suspension of courses applies “the precautionary principle. Indeed, the causes of these discomforts have still not been identified. The ARS opened an on-site investigation, with the assistance of 5 school doctors. Recent renovations (ventilation and equipment) could well be the cause, as the General Council indicated in a press release: “Following a long renovation of the college, symptoms appeared during the gradual availability of rooms. . “
Carbon monoxide poisoning was already considered last February, when the 450 people in the establishment were evacuated by firefighters. The analyzes plunged the teams back into total vagueness. This is why a “health coordination unit” was set up by the ARS and the InVS. She is responsible for monitoring students and regularly checking the premises. This should allow teams to speculate on what caused these discomforts.
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