Parents upset after lead found in Holy Angels School

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Parents learned their children may have been breathing air containing high levels of lead at the Holy Angels School in Bronzeville. The school is closed for the remainder of the week while workers try to fix the ventilation system.

The Chicago Archdiocese says lead was discovered in one of two buildings on the campus. It believes the newer building is safe, but parents fear that's not the case.

"There's some things going on in this school that are dangerous to our kids," says David Fields.

The hidden airborne danger was revealed during a recent renovation.

"We tested and found that some had some unacceptable levels in the dust of lead," says Chicago Archdiocese Associate Superintendent Mary Kearney.

Parents are angry and afraid.

"Our children having been breathing in the air coming through this system that is lead based. High levels of lead," says Sharon Anderson.

The diocese says the ventilation system of an older building is likely the problem. David Fields is wondering what's next for his son.

"Some of the kids come out positive with this, what is the diocese going to do then?" he wonders. "How will they rectify the situation?"

"That particular side is where the gym room is at. Where the library is at. Where the title one class is at. Where the kids are at a lot of the day," Monica Clark, whose son attends Holy Angels, says.

The diocese says it will offer lead testing to all children. Clark is eager; she's taking her son Thursday.

"I can't wait until they make a decision on when they're going to be tested," she says. "That's not the way things go."