New Website on Limiting Exposure to PCBs

November 24, 2009 - In the last few years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) learned that Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have been found in the caulk used in schools built or renovated in the 1950’s through 1978. A build up of PCB’s in a child can potentially harm  immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems.

The EPA has issued new guidance to help schools manage and limit exposure to PCBs and has created a website that contains comprehensive information to assist school leaders and facilities managers with efforts to minimize contact with PCBs.  The website includes resources on testing, containing, and managing exposure and effectively eliminating PCBs from schools.  In addition, there is a schools checklist, information on what to say to children about PCBs, and a variety of fact sheets. There also are links to EPA’s Regional PCB Coordinators and a list of inexpensive steps to take to reduce potential exposure until testing and/or elimination are complete.

This is just one aspect of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and environmental issues that schools can address to help ensure that their students and staff stay healthy, safe, and perform at their highest potential. The EPA has additional IAQ information and simple ways to improve the air that students and staff breathe to create a healthier and more stimulating environment. To learn more about the resources that EPA provides, take a look at their IAQ Tools for schools website.