ROBINSON SCHOOL WINDOW REPLACEMENT

1. ROBINSON SCHOOLWINDOW REPLACEMENT ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING CONDITIONS Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

2. School renovation projects require an assessment of existing conditions prior to any material being disturbed. • Window Replacement Project requires an assessment of sealants which may contain asbestos, PCBs, and lead-based paint. • Many school buildings constructed prior to 1979 have window caulk sealants that contain asbestos or PCBs. • Testing for PCBs, asbestos and lead paint was conducted in late November/Early December. • Test results indicated (full report received December 12, 2013) • No lead paint was detected. • Asbestos was only detected in window glazing sealants. • PCBs were detected in window glazing sealants, perimeter caulking and adjacent masonry around the windows and doors at concentrations regulated by EPA. Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

3. Typical Window Window Glazing Sealant This sealant is the black/grey material present between the glass pane and the metal window frame. Perimeter Caulking This sealant is the white, typically painted sealant between the metal window frame and the building masonry/wall Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

4. If PCB containing caulking or sealants are disturbed, or deteriorate with age, it could produce dust / particulates that contain PCBs. Recent studies have also documented the potential for PCBs to off-gas directly from caulking to indoor air. Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

5. Follow-up Sampling Surface wipe samples of dust on window sills detected low levels of PCBs Four indoor air samples were collected in classrooms with the following results: • Room 1 166.8 ng/m3 • Room 3 151.8 ng/m3 • Room 4 174.9 ng/m3 • Room 6 145 ng/m3 (see sampling locations and test results) Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

6. Maximum Concentration of PCB in Indoor Air (EPA Conservative Values) Maximum Concentrations of PCBs in School Air (ng/m3) Note: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Threshold PCB Concentration is 1,000 (ng/m3) Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

7. Most people have some accumulation of PCBs in their bodies. Exposure to PCBs is often via the food chain (fish, meat, dairy). Other sources of PCBs include: • Transformers and Capacitors • Oils use in hydraulics • Carbonless Paper • Fluorescent light ballasts • Oil-based paint • Caulking Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

8. “The Potential presence of PCBs in schools and buildings should not be cause for alarm”. Source: EPA Fact Sheet – PCBs in Caulk “There is absolutely no reason to be concerned about exposure to PCBs at the Robinson School”. (12/16/2013) Source: Suzanne Condon Environmental Health Director MA Dept. of Public Health Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

9. Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

10. EPA recommends the following “Best Practices” to minimize potential exposure to PCBs: • Clean frequently to reduce dust and residue inside buildings. • Use a wet or damp cloth or mop to clean surfaces. • Use vacuums with high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) • Do not sweep with dry broom. • Wash hands before eating. Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

11. Westford’s action to address presence of PCBs: • Inform staff, parents, officials • Immediate to Near Term - Surfaces • Remove supplies/materials from sills and avoid contact with window caulk • Thoroughly clean windows and sills • Paint over caulk during vacation • Follow-up surface wipe tests of surfaces • Immediate to Near Term – Indoor Air • Increase/improve room ventilation • Follow-up indoor air testing • Longer Term • Remove and replace windows and caulking Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

12. QUESTIONS Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions