To: PD parents, PX parents, All Staff and Admin
From: Shanghai American School
Sent From/Reply: communications
Subject: Pudong are concerns and testing
Template: General SAS
January 27, 2014
Dear SAS Parents, Faculty and Staff,
We are writing to provide an update on actions taken since we last communicated with
you regarding the testing and environmental concerns at Shanghai American School,
Pudong campus.
I would like to first report on the status of the illegal plastic factory. We have been
working diligently with the local Heqing government and the Links to have this factory
closed. Over the winter break we were provided information that the illegal unlicensed
plastic bag manufacturer would be gone December 17th. On the 20th of December I
communicated with our government liaison officer and she indicated the manufacturer
was gone. The Heqing government sent inspectors over to the facility and they were
able to gain access and confirmation that all of the plastic bag manufacturing machines
were indeed gone and the building was being used for storage.
Upon my return Chris Levesque, facilities director, and myself, went over to the facility
and were granted access behind the gate. We were given a tour by the current
foreman. Indeed the bag manufacturing machines were gone and the area previously
used was now storage.
Currently inside the same large building is a small irrigation pipe manufacturing facility.
As stated by the foreman, and confirmed by the Heqing Mayor, this operation is legal
and fully licensed. We were allowed to see the machines, raw materials and finished
product. The machines were in operation during our tour and we noticed a slight
“plastic” odor, nothing that was overwhelming or disturbing to us.
I have received information that there may be another factory on the same property
that is operating illegally. I have asked for the Heqing mayor’s input on this and will be
meeting the Links management on Wednesday Jan 29th to confirm what information
they have.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and stay in contact with the Heqing
and Shanghai government, and the Links.
Outdoor Air Testing Results
During the end of October we contracted Shanghai Bravo Testing Technology Co., Ltd to
conduct a seven-day outdoor air quality test. The selected testing location was the
playground used for elementary school recess.
During the testing period the company monitored the following pollutants. The
averages over the seven days are compared here with the Chinese General Building
Standards.
Pollutants
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Nitric Oxide
Ozone
PM10
TSP (Total suspended particulates)
Plumbum (Lead)
Limited Value
.05 mg/m3
.2 mg/m3
.25 mg/m3
.2 mg/m3
.15 mg/m3
.3 mg/m3
.001 mg/m3
7 day average
<.0007 mg/m3
<.015 mg/m3
.131 mg/m3
.11 mg/m3
.07 mg/m3
.09 mg/m3
4.1x10-6 mg/m3
There were only 10 VOCs detected out of the 97 tested for.
The following thresholds are based on the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety
& Health Administration (OSHA) standards for work place exposure to chemicals. These
standards are for indoor exposer and TWA.
https://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/toc/toc_chemsamp.html
VOC
Acetone
Dichloromethane
Carbon Disulfide
Butoanone
N-Hexane
Ethyl Acetate
Trichloromethane
Benzene
Cyclohexane
Methylbenzene (toluene)
Ethyl Benzene
1,2-dimethyl Benzene (O-xylene)
OSHA Limits
590 mg/m3
87 mg/m3
30 mg/m3
590 mg/m3
180 mg/m3
1440 mg/m3
240 mg/m3
1.6 mg/m3
33.4 mg/m3
75 mg/m3
87 mg/m3
435 mg/m3
7 Day average
.00534 mg/m3
.00104 mg/m3
.00247 mg/m3
.00093 mg/m3
.00488 mg/m3
.00187 mg/m3
.001844 mg/m3
.00255 mg/m3
.0054 mg/m3
.01266 mg/m3
.0541 mg/m3
.02795 mg/m3
If you would like any additional information, please contact Abby Torres,
Communications Manager at abby.torres@saschina.org. Abby will then either respond
directly or will connect you with the most appropriate person.
Sincerely,
Mark Hevland
Safety and Security Manager
Chris Levesque
Facilities Director