WASHINGTON — Hundreds of school buildings across the United States have caulk around windows and doors containing potentially cancer-causing PCBs, the Environmental Protection Agency says.
The danger to students is uncertain, and EPA does not know for sure how many schools could be affected. But the agency is telling schools that they should test old caulk and remove it if PCBs turn up in significant amounts.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said PCBs remain in schools and many other buildings built before the chemicals were banned in the late 1970s.
"We're concerned about the potential risks associated with exposure to these PCBs, and we're recommending practical, common sense steps to reduce this exposure as we improve our understanding of the science," Jackson said in a news release issued Friday.
The agency said it would conduct new research into the link between PCBs in caulk and in the air, which it said is not well understood. Studies in European countries have shown that PCBs in caulk contribute to dust and air inside schools and other buildings.
EPA now recommends testing for PCBs in peeling, brittle, cracking or deteriorating caulk in schools and other buildings that were built or renovated between 1950 and 1978. The caulk should be removed if PCBs are found at significant levels, the agency said. The agency also will conduct its own tests on PCBs in schools.
The law already requires that building owners remove caulk if they discover very high levels of PCBs. But proper removal is very expensive.
"It's a huge disincentive for building owners," said Robert Herrick of Harvard's School of Public Health. "If you look for it and find it, you have to report it to the EPA and remove it, so why would you look for it in the first place?"
He said Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts saw an approximately $2 million project for window replacement and renovation increase to $5 million after engineers tested caulk and found PCBs.
Earlier this month, a Bronx, N.Y., mother sued New York City over PCBs in caulk at her daughter's public school.
New York City schools spokeswoman Ann Forte declined to comment on the lawsuit, but said the school system is "engaged in positive and productive discussions with EPA to develop and agree on a plan to address PCBs in New York City schools."
Federal officials said the issue was serious but should not be cause for alarm. The agency recommended these steps for buildings of that age:
_Don't sweep with dry brooms or use dusters in places near caulk that might contain PCBs, and clean frequently with a wet or damp cloth.
_Clean air ducts, improve ventilation by opening windows and use exhaust fans and vacuums with high-efficiency air filters.
_Wash hands with soap and water often, especially before eating or drinking, and wash children's toys often.
PCBs, known formally as polychlorinated biphenyls, are chemicals that were widely used in construction and electrical materials — they made caulk more flexible — before they were banned 30 years ago. PCBs can hurt the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems and can cause cancer if they build up in the body over long periods of time.
Hundreds of the 80,000 public school buildings across the country were built between 1950 and 1978, though it is difficult to say exactly how many.
A decade-old Education Department report said the average building was 40 years old, and the Rebuild America's Schools coalition says that two-thirds of schools have an environmental problem such as the presence of cancer-causing asbestos or radon gas, lead in water and paint, leaking underground storage tanks or cancer-causing radon gas.By LIBBY QUAID (AP)
WASHINGTON — Hundreds of school buildings across the United... more
A National Institutes of Health study from November 2007 found that in youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the brain matures in a normal pattern.
Do you know anyone with ADHD?A National Institutes of Health study from November 2007 found that in youth with... more
April 2009 - Anna Gill and Karen Wooddissee from Norfolk Family Voice talk about their experiences in setting up a parent forum - the aims, achievements and challenges they faced and where the forum is now.
Parent Participation is about empowering parents and helping them to become involved in shaping the services that their disabled children need. Parents have strong views about the services they get; whether agencies are working together and most of all, whether the needs of their children are truly being met.
A great deal of recent legislation and guidance on health, education, social services and the early years requires the involvement of users in planning services.
Increasingly professionals are involving parents in shaping services because they recognise that it benefits everyone and can lead to a more cost effective service.April 2009 - Anna Gill and Karen Wooddissee from Norfolk Family Voice talk about their... more
Contact a Family called on parents to tell their story of raising a disabled child holding national competition aiming to highlight the many issues they face on a day-to-day basis.
We had an overwhelming response from parents sharing their stories and we are pleased to announce that we have picked 'Jamie' as one of our runner up prize winners!
'Jamie' tells the story of a family and their young child who has Down Syndrome.Contact a Family called on parents to tell their story of raising a disabled child... more
Contact a Family called on parents to tell their story of raising a disabled child holding national competition aiming to highlight the many issues they face on a day-to-day basis.
We had an overwhelming response from parents sharing their stories and we are pleased to announce that we have picked 'Fab Fin' as our grand prize winner!
'Fab Fin' tells the story of a fun-loving young lad with cerebral palsy.Contact a Family called on parents to tell their story of raising a disabled child... more
WASHINGTON – Republicans appear to have overplayed their hand when blocking the expansion of a children's health care program last year.
They face the likelihood that Democrats in the coming weeks will pass a bill that they dislike even more.
With more Democrats in Congress and President Barack Obama in the White House, GOP lawmakers don't have the numbers or a veto threat to do anything about it.
The Senate planned to begin debate as early as Monday on a bill that would increase spending on the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $31.5 billion over the next 4 1/2 years.
More at the website
The money to pay for expanding the program would come from a 61-cents per pack increase in the tax on cigarettes as well as tax increases on other tobacco products.
It's a bit hypocritical to use tobacco tax money when they're trying to get everyone to stop smoking...What are they saying, smoke more so we can pay for this?WASHINGTON – Republicans appear to have overplayed their hand when blocking the... more
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child and finding support. Part 4 of 4.
SUBSCRIBE NOW to the Contact a Family Podcasts for in-depth parent interviews about raising a child with disabilities in addition to podshows on benefits and medical information. Visit http://tinyurl.com/5he7zw if you are an iTunes user, or listen now at http://www.cafamily.org.uk/news/podcasts.html
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child and having a different family life. Part 3 of 4.
SUBSCRIBE NOW to the Contact a Family Podcasts for in-depth parent interviews about raising a child with disabilities in addition to podshows on benefits and medical information. Visit http://tinyurl.com/5he7zw if you are an iTunes user, or listen now at http://www.cafamily.org.uk/news/podcasts.html
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child during the early stages of diagnosis. Part 2 of 4.
SUBSCRIBE NOW to the Contact a Family Podcasts for in-depth parent interviews about raising a child with disabilities in addition to podshows on benefits and medical information. Visit http://tinyurl.com/5he7zw if you are an iTunes user, or listen now at http://www.cafamily.org.uk/news/podcasts.html
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child before receiving the news. Part 1 of 4.
SUBSCRIBE NOW to the Contact a Family Podcasts for in-depth parent interviews about raising a child with disabilities in addition to podshows on benefits and medical information. Visit http://tinyurl.com/5he7zw if you are an iTunes user, or listen now at http://www.cafamily.org.uk/news/podcasts.html
Contact a Family welcomes Carers UK’s latest research into the financial difficulties being experienced by carers.
One of the key findings of Carers in Crisis is that families with disabled children have been hardest hit among carers by the credit crunch. Counting the Costs, a recent survey and report by Contact a Family supports these findings with one in six families of disabled children reporting that they are going without food and heating.Contact a Family welcomes Carers UK’s latest research into the financial... more
UK disability charity Contact a Family has welcomed last week’s ruling by the Employment Tribunal protecting parents who combine work with caring for a disabled child against harassment and discrimination in the workplace...UK disability charity Contact a Family has welcomed last week’s ruling by the... more
More than 60 parents of disabled children from across London came together for a landmark parent participation event.
Together for Disabled Children, a partnership between Contact a Family and Serco Education and Childrens Services, organised the event to support parent carers in their efforts to be involved in planning and developing disabled childrens services.
This video features Toby Price, Head of Sutton Disability Partnership for Children and Young People, who talked about the good practice model of parents working with the local authority in Sutton to improve services.More than 60 parents of disabled children from across London came together for a... more
More than 60 parents of disabled children from across London came together for a landmark parent participation event.
Together for Disabled Children, a partnership between Contact a Family and Serco Education and Childrens Services, organised the event to support parent carers in their efforts to be involved in planning and developing disabled childrens services.
This video features Toby Price, Head of Sutton Disability Partnership for Children and Young People, who talked about the good practice model of parents working with the local authority in Sutton to improve services.More than 60 parents of disabled children from across London came together for a... more
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child.One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent... more
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child.One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent... more
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child.One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent... more
One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent stories from other families just like them. This video features honest accounts of parental experiences in raising a disabled child.One of the things families with disabled children often most want to hear are parent... more
Program Was Only One In America. Hawaii is dropping the only state universal child health care program in the country just seven months after it launched.Program Was Only One In America. Hawaii is dropping the only state universal child... more
Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Textphone: 0808 808 3556
Email us: helpline@cafamily.org.uk
Website: www.cafamily.org.ukThis short documentary takes us through the emotional experience of a family caring... more
