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Another WV School Closes After Smelling Licorice Scent
By: Associated Press
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Another West Virginia school is closing because of an odor resembling the chemical that spilled into a regional water system last month.
Grandview Elementary in Kanawha County sent students home at 12:15 p.m. Monday because of the licorice odor. State Department of Education spokeswoman Liza Cordeiro said some teachers complained about burning eyes and noses.
Two weeks ago, five Kanawha County schools temporarily closed because of the smell. A Jan. 9 chemical leak contaminated the water supply of 300,000 people for days.
A state response team has taken water samples and is re-flushing the school's pipes. Cordeiro said another round of sampling will occur after flushing.
Previous tests did not detect the associated chemical, crude MCHM, in the school's water.
Bottled water and hand sanitizer is still available at schools.