Kopřivnice kindergarten closed over chemical odor

A persistent chemical smell forced the closure of the Pionýrská kindergarten in Kopřivnice, Czech Republic. Tests identified elevated levels of 2‑ethylhexanol, a compound that irritates eyes and respiratory passages and can depress the central nervous system, though it is not chronically toxic.

The odor was traced to a floor covering installed during a recent renovation. Workers removed the suspect flooring, applied an epoxy screed and performed ionisation of the rooms. City officials suspect that intensive heating of the building released remaining vapours, prompting further measurements that still showed high concentrations.

Until the issue is resolved, children have been relocated to a temporary facility at the Klokan centre on Francouzská Street, with all staff remaining on site. The municipality continues to monitor air quality before allowing the kindergarten to reopen.