Environmental Testing Finds Presence of Chemical Styrene at Spooner Middle School

SPOONER, Wis. – After a chemical exposure forced an evacuation of the Spooner Middle School, sickening several students and staff last month, district officials say in-person will resume tomorrow.

Environmental testing, industrial hygiene, and occupational medicine reviews were conducted in the school, which indicated the presence of the chemical styrene.

According to the school district, symptoms of styrene exposure include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.

These symptoms are consistent with the symptoms reported by dozens of students and staff on the day of the evacuation.

The middle school has been aired out, and district leaders say the chemical is no longer present in the building.

“We have been told that a single exposure such as this does not constitute a risk for long-term health effects,” the district said in a Monday press release.

The Spooner Fire Department had approved students and staff returning to the building on Tuesday.

An environmental monitoring device has been installed around the school building for added safety, and personnel will be on-site Tuesday to conduct additional monitoring.