I have been teaching in a portable, for my first time, since September of 2006.  Around the third week of school I became ill with symptoms of a cough, soar throat, congestion, headache and began coughing up mucus.  By the middle of October was experiencing breathing problems so went to emergency and was diagnosed with pneumonia and asthma. In my whole life I have never had asthma and never had problems breathing, my overall health was very good.  Being away from the portable for a week and a half I began to get well again, but still needed the puffers.  At the end of November began to feel ill again, same symptoms and this time was diagnosed with bronchitis- always a respiratory infection. At this point my doctor sent a note to my principal stating that I be removed from the portable. Well, it took her until the middle of December to do something about it, she finally moved the class and I into the library as there were no available classrooms and this was a brand new school.  ?At this point in time I was very sick so took another sick leave and was diagnosed with bronchial asthma. While I was on  sick leave , she moved the class back to the portable and deemed that it was fine to teach in and that I was experiencing health problems that were not related to the portable.  At this point my union was brought in and my doctor wrote another note stating the I would return to work if not in the portable.  At this point the Board did their minimal testing, nothing destructive (by looking in walls and floors) just air testing.  While the testing was being done a supply teacher was teaching my class in the portable and I was doing odd jobs for my principal in the school.  After about 2 weeks the Board said that the portable was a  healthy environment and pushed me back out there. 

I must say that during those 2 weeks being away from the portable I fully had almost 100 percent of my health back.

Today, April 2007, I am ill again. I am on 2 puffers still, and take breathing attacks quite regularly. Two weeks ago the portable began to stink because with it being spring there is loads of mud surrounding it. The area where the portable sits is not well drained. I am counting the days till school is done, so I can get out of there.  I feel that I am helpless in this regard and feel let down. I just hope that down the road I don't end up with something more serious from having to teach in such an unhealthy environment. You know all that I ever wanted to do was be a teacher and teach in a healthy environment!