PCBs Found in Three More NYC Schools

PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls, have been discovered in three more New York City schools. To date, spot checks of New York City schools by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have turned up PCBs leaking from light ballasts in all five of the New York City school buildings tested so far. All of the tests have confirmed leakage of PCBs above the federal limit of 50 parts per million.

The EPA would like the city to remove all older light ballasts that might pose a threat to students, not just the ones found to be leaking PCBs. The city argues that the students aren’t in any immediate danger although PCBs in schools has been found to cause long term effects.

Some of the long term effects of being exposed to PCBS in Schools include:

• Developmental and neurodevelopmental impairments, such as hyperactivity
• Exposure can affect the ability to learn by negatively impacting dentrite plasticity (damaged denrites are linked to seizure disorders, schizophrenia, mental retardation, and autism)
• PCBs also affect ryanodine receptors, which can add to neural circuits becoming over-excited

If you or someone you know have been exposed to PCBs currently or over time in NYC schools, please fill out our online form. Our experienced PCB lawyers may be able to help. We are currently offering free lawsuit consultations to victims of PCB-related diseases and disorders and their families.