PCB Problem at One Staten Island School Fixed, New York City Says

PCBs in NYC Schools

Tests previously revealed dangerous PCB levels on floor tiles at PS 36; however, recent samples from the two impacted classrooms revealed levels below the standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said WNYC. Sam Pirozzolo, president of Community Education Council 31 on Staten Island, said he’s relieved about the results, but has concerns over how the problem was handled by officials.
” They physically told us that every light was inspected, and we looked up and there was a light that was not inspected,” he said, quoted WNYC. “We went around the partition to the cafeteria and found two more lights that had PCB ballast leaks,” Pirozzolo added.

PCBs are man-made chemicals that have been linked to a number of adverse health effects, including, most recently, increased blood pressure. PCBs were widely used in construction materials and electrical products prior to 1978. The toxins can affect the immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems and are potentially cancer causing if they build up in the body over long periods of time.

Although the two involved classrooms at the school were closed, PS 36 remained open as test results were pending, said WNYC. Despite this, a good majority of parents—about 75 percent—kept their children at home last Monday, noted WNYC.

If you’re concerned about exposure to PCBs in New York City schools, there is help available.