EODE

Fact Sheet: PCBs in New York City School Buildings

Are PCBs present in New York City school buildings?

Lab tests done by a local newspaper recently found PCBs in samples of caulking from the outside of some New York City school buildings. Parents and teachers may be understandably concerned because exposure to high levels of PCBs can pose serious health risks. But the presence of PCBs does not always indicate a health hazard. PCBs in intact building materials do not result in significant exposure, and they are unlikely to cause health effects. 

What are PCBs?

PCBs are manmade chemicals that are widespread in our soil, air, water and food. PCBs were widely used in construction material and electrical products before 1977. They have not been used since then, but they are still found in the caulking and sealants of a large proportion of older homes, schools, hospitals and office buildings. The level of PCBs in our environment and in people in this country has decreased significantly over time, but any building that is more than 30 years old may contain some PCBs.

What are the potential health effects of PCBs?

Most of us have some PCBs in our bodies, but few of us suffer any health consequences as a result. However, high levels of exposure can be dangerous. Skin conditions, such as acne and rashes, can occur after exposure to large amounts of PCBs in the workplace or from accidental poisonings. PCBs cause some types of cancer in laboratory animals and high levels of exposure may cause cancer in people. In addition, studies of pregnant women and their children suggest a link between high levels of PCBs in a mother’s body and some effect on her child’s birth weight, short-term memory, and learning.

How are people exposed to PCBs?

Most people have some PCBs in their bodies. Food is the main source of exposure. Fish (especially fish caught in polluted waters) contain small amounts of PCBs, as do meat and dairy products. People can also be exposed to PCBs by handling products that contain them, or by breathing in contaminated air or dust in areas where a product was disturbed or disposed of. Workers whose jobs involve repairing or dismantling PCB-containing products are at greatest risk for exposure in this way. Indoor air is, in general, not a significant source of PCB exposure, and caulking is not a significant source of the PCBs in indoor air.

What is known about exposure to PCBs in caulk? 

PCBs were used in some caulking and elastic sealant materials, particularly from 1950 to 1977. When contaminated caulk is disturbed, or deteriorates with age, it produces dust that may contain PCBs. This dust can be inhaled or ingested through normal hand-to-mouth contact, particularly by young children.  There have been reports of school buildings on which sealants on building exteriors have peeled off and contaminated the surrounding soil, and the soil was removed to protect children from unsafe exposure. Indoor caulking can also disintegrate, raising the PCB levels in dust and air, but caulking is rarely a significant source of PCB exposure. The concentrations found in indoor dust and air can vary depending on the type of caulking and the conditions in the room, but they rarely reach levels that would pose health risks. No scientific studies have linked exposures from building caulk with health effects in building occupants.

This week, NYC’s Department of Education tested numerous indoor air samples from the schools featured in recent news reports. None of them had airborne PCB levels that exceeded federal guidelines.

What can be done to reduce PCB exposures in buildings with PCB-containing caulk?

It is important to minimize contact with PCB-containing caulk and its residues. Intact caulk may release small amounts of PCBs into the air, where they can be inhaled, but the amounts released this way are too small to pose any known health risk. Disintegrating caulk may also shed dust that can contaminate window sills and other nearby surfaces. Proper cleaning can minimize exposure to these residues. Here are some guidelines for minimizing exposure to PCBs in dust:

• 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 filters
• Do not sweep with dry brooms; minimize the use of dusters
• Wash children’s hands with soap and water, particularly before eating
• Wash children’s toys when dirty
• Wash hands with soap and water after cleaning, and before eating or drinking.

Are special procedures needed when doing repairs that may disturb PCB-containing caulk?

When PCB-containing caulk is removed and disposed of, it can contaminate surrounding surfaces. Necessary repairs that disturb caulk, such as window removal and replacement, should be conducted by trained workers who use safe work practices to minimize dust and contain contaminated waste. Once the window replacements have been completed, the area should be thoroughly cleaned using recommended methods. The New York State Education Department’s Protocol for Addressing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Caulking Materials in School Buildings is available at here. The protocol offers guidance on testing of caulk and soil, and it provides abatement methods based on lead-based paint hazard controls. 

Can a medical test determine exposure to PCBs?

Laboratory tests can measure PCB levels in blood, fat tissue and breast milk. These tests are useful for research but they cannot determine when or for how long a person was exposed. Nor can they pinpoint the source of exposure, or tell whether the person will develop adverse health effects. See your doctor if you have any symptoms that you think may be related to exposure.

Call 311 for more information. Translation services are available.

April 2008