PCB-CONTAMINATED CAULK FOUND by the DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION in NYC SCHOOLS

See the attached chart

The chart identifies NYC schools where the DOE found window caulk containing more than 50 parts per million (ppm) PCBs. PCBs are highly toxic compounds that were banned years ago but not removed from all sources, such as the caulking material surrounding windows and doors in some buildings. PCBs spontaneously enter the air and can be ingested through breathing. They pose special health and developmental risks to children.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PCBs at levels greater than 50 ppm “present an unreasonable risk of injury to health.” EPA also states that caulk containing more than 50 ppm PCBs “must be removed.” Many schools around NYC nevertheless continue to contain caulk that is contaminated, sometimes very severely, as seen in the chart.

The chart is not the result of a comprehensive survey of NYC schools. In other words, the fact that a school is absent from the chart does not mean it does not contain contaminated caulk. What the chart shows instead are results of some of the PCB tests that the DOE conducted before doing routine window renovation work in the period from April 2008 to September 2009. The caulk that was tested was slated to be removed and was in fact removed. However, the DOE only tested those windows subject to renovation in each school and it is highly likely that other windows and doors at these schools contain the same contaminated caulk.

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) obtained the information in this chart through a Freedom of Information Law request. NYLPI is a non-profit civil rights organization that does environmental justice work throughout NYC. Together with concerned Bronx parents, we have formed a coalition called the Coalition for PCB-Free Schools. Our goal is to broaden the coalition into a city-wide group that can prevail upon the DOE to provide safe, PCB-free learning environments for all NYC children.

For more information, please contact Senior Staff Attorney Miranda Massie by email at mmassie@nylpi.org or by phone at 212/244-4664.

PLEASE FORWARD THE CHART TO PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN MAY ATTEND THE SCHOOLS LISTED AND TO TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES. THANK YOU.

City admits 19 schools toxic; no cleanup planned

City admits 19 schools toxic; no cleanup planned

This is ridiculous! The NYC Dept of Ed readily admits that these toxins are in our children's schools at levels well above federal limits. We have children and teachers going to schools full of toxic waste. Yet the DOE is doing nothing to remove the source of these toxins and is effectively thumbing its nose at federal regulations which dictate that the toxic waste be removed. Sure we are all strapped for money but the health of our children is well worth the cost to clean up our schools.

Toxic fight over schools in Bronx

Toxic fight over schools in Bronx

The legal battle over PCBs in New York City schools heats up with "more than a dozen parents and one prominent organization" signing on or expressing interest in joining a notice of intent to sue the city for not addressing the PSB problem in our children's schools.

Also, the "New York Lawyers for the Public Interest will host an informational meeting for parents at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the United Methodist Church in Co-op City, 2350 Palmer Ave., at Hutchinson River Parkway E." I encourage everyone who cares about the well being of our children to attend.

Researchers show how PCBs may alter in utero, neonatal brain development

Researchers show how PCBs may alter in utero, neonatal brain development

As if we needed any more scientific data to prove how bad PCBs are for our youth, this report comes out detailing how PCBs alter the development of brain cells. A quote from one of the researchers:

"With these studies we have now shown - from the whole animal level to the molecular level - how PCBs alter the development and excitability of brain cells. And that could explain why PCBs are associated with higher rates of neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders," said Pessah, who is also a researcher with the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute.

The science is clear - PCBs are bad for all people but especially for children.

EPA Hosts PCB Challenge Conference

04/02/2009: Conference to Raise Awareness of PCB Disclosure and Disposal

The EPA is hosting a conference in Philadelphia to discuss "the hazards of PCBs and failing PCB equipment; how firms may qualify for penalty mitigation; the benefits of voluntary disclosure; management and proper disposal methods; sustainability beyond PCBs; and partnering with EPA. EPA staff will be available for one-on-one sessions to assist participants in identifying opportunities for PCB reduction or elimination."

I think the NYC Dept of Ed should attend. They might get some useful info to help them clean up our schools.

The Associated Press: EPA reports uptick in some toxic chemicals in 2007

The Associated Press: EPA reports uptick in some toxic chemicals in 2007

I missed this report when it first came out. While overall toxins are down, PCBs are up 40 percent. Yes, 40 percent, even though they were banned in the 1970s. The EPA claims the jump is probably due to disposal of old equipment or clean up at industrial sites.

I thought there were strict guidelines for how to clean up and dispose of these toxins. Either they are not being followed, or they do not work to keep PCBs from getting into the environment. Either way, the system is broken and must be fixed.

Legislation: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and School Modernization

The stimulus bill appropriates funds for modernizing and renovating public school buildings. This is something that the NYC DoE should look into to help pay for cleaning up PCBs in our schools. We can not let money trump the health of our children.