School Workers Suffer Mysterious Symptoms

An Independence school administrator said something in the administrative offices building has sickened more than 12 employees.

The situation is so bad that some workers have switched offices.

The symptoms include headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, sinus and respiratory problems, arm tingling, numbness in the legs and extreme fatigue.

"We've had people hospitalized. We've had people in the emergency room. We've had people with doctor's visits over and over, with a multitude of tests," Superintendent Jim Hinson told KMBC's Marcus Moore.

Air quality tests are being done inside the building, but so far, no one has been able to figure out why so many people are becoming ill.

The symptoms began showing up almost a year ago.

Constructed in 1929, the old junior high building has been home to district offices since 2002 and underwent its last renovation in 2004.

In that time, Hinson said they've found no known problem with mold or anything else that might be making people sick.

"Is it something in this building? Or is it the building? We don't know, but we will try to determine the cause," Hinson said.

A few employees have been allowed to move their work to another building during the investigation.

About 60 people total work in the building.

Health officials will conduct more tests on Wednesday.

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