PCBs Found in Bronx P.S. 68: Parents are Concerned

The recent findings of PCBs in New York City schools has caused the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate at additional schools and they have been finding more and more public schools around New York City that have tested positive for an unsafe amount of PCBs in the light fixtures.

PCBs are a carcinogen which had many uses in the 1970's but was banned in 1979 when it was discovered that it was harmful to the environment and to people. Many older light fixtures in the ceilings of schools and other buildings still contain the dangerous chemical and the substance has began dripping from the light fixtures.

PS 68 in the Bronx was added to the list of schools with a dangerous amount of PCBs present yesterday. The standard the EPA goes by is that the amount of PCB should not exceed 50 parts per million. The EPA stated yesterday that 10 out of 13 samples taken from PS 68 were over the allowable limit. Parents are becoming concerned because of the health problems PCBs present when exposed for long periods of time.