In some of the rooms, the limit values were significantly exceeded or only just not reached.

This was noticed in a classroom that had been sampled as part of the usual regular pollutant screening. As a result, the health department, with the involvement of a health engineer, also sampled the other rooms in this wing under ventilation conditions and took material samples.

It turned out that the ceiling paint was the cause of the PCB evaporation in the room air.

"We cannot expect either the children or the teaching staff to continue using these rooms if they are contaminated," explained Dr. Dirk Härdrich, head of the school department. However, he also pointed out that the new limit values have only been in force since the beginning of this year; until the end of last year, they were higher and therefore there was no recognizable need for action in the indoor air measurements carried out earlier.

The school administration is examining alternative premises in close coordination with the city's own facility management, purchasing and logistics department and with the involvement of the teaching staff and local politicians. "Until a more permanent alternative is found, we have to organize a temporary solution," says Head of Building Michael Tacke. As the renovation of the affected premises will take some time, school room containers on the open space next to the school could be a solution. But it will take time to set these up, because foundations, water and sewage connections as well as an electricity connection have to be created. The containers would also have to be available.

In the meantime, the containers at the Grundschule Nord elementary school that have not yet been dismantled could be made available in combination with vacant rooms at the Pestalozzi School, the Heinrich-Albertz School in Watenstedt or the vacated Altstadt School in Salzgitter-Bad. Initial tests have already taken place in advance and will take place over the course of the week.

Over the course of the week, teachers and parents will be informed on site by the administration about the situation and possible solutions for temporary emergency schooling. "Of course, we will also involve the health department, because there will certainly be questions about the health risks of PCBs," Härdrich concludes.