Family/Community Involvement

Health Education Physical Education Family/Community Involvement Health Promotion for Staff Health Services Nutrition Services Healthy School Environment Counseling, Psychological and Social Services 2

Today we will share information about Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, and schools. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/schools 3

Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are organic chemicals that were used in construction materials and electrical products produced before 1979. They have a range of toxicities and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/schools What are Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs? 4

PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects. Studies in humans provide supportive evidence for potential carcinogenic effects of PCBs. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/schools PCBs and Health Effects 5

PCBs have been shown to cause cancer in animals. PCBs have also been shown to cause a number of serious non-cancer health effects in animals, including effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/schools PCBs and Health Effects 6

In recent years, EPA has learned that caulk containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was used in some buildings, including schools, in the 1950s through the 1970s. Buildings built after 1979 are less likely to contain caulk that contains PCBs. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/schools 7

Caulk is a flexible material used to seal gaps around windows, masonry and joints in buildings and it can help seal other structures so that they are watertight or airtight. EPA does not have information on the extent of the use of PCB-containing caulk or whether it was primarily used in certain geographic areas. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/schools 8

Please note: Schools in the U.S. that were constructed prior to 1979 have been found to contain PCB light ballasts. The PCBs are contained within the light ballasts' capacitors and in the ballasts' potting material, which is used for insulation. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/schools 9

As long as the PCBs remain in the ballasts and potting material, they do not pose a health risk or environmental hazard. However, as they age, the ballasts degrade, increasing the risk of leaks or even fires, which can release the PCBs into the air or drip PCBs onto surfaces below. These risks would pose a health and environmental hazard. 10

To date, PCBs have been found in buildings in the northeastern United States and in joints in concrete water storage basins in the western United States. For more information about PCBs in Schools: www.epa.gov/school 11

For more information about PCBs and Schools: PCB Guidance Reinterpretation http://www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk/reinterpret.htm PCBs in Schools Research http://www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk/caulkresearch.htm 12

Additional School Resources Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT) is a software tool from EPA designed to help school districts conduct voluntary, customized self-assessments of their school facilities for environmental, health, and safety hazards. http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/index.html EPA's voluntary School Siting Guidelines can help local school districts (local education agencies or LEAs) and community members evaluate environmental factors to make the best possible school siting decisions. It includes an overview for the guidelines, as well as links to resources and additional environmental health information. http://epa.gov/schools/siting/ 13

Thank you! 14

Family/Community Involvement