Printer Friendly Version - PCB Levels Reduced; Branford Intermediate School Re-Opens Gym, Locker Rooms

On Sept. 27, Branford Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez announced Walsh Intermediate School's gym and locker rooms were at safe PCB levels and were open for use. Hernandez is shown here with school principal Raeanne Reynolds, left, during a an earlier informational meeting at WIS on Sept. 21.Pam Johnson/The Sound

On Sept. 27, with newest results showing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) levels to now be "well within exposure guidelines," of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Branford Superintendent of School Hamlet Hernandez informed parents that the Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) gym and locker rooms were re-opened and safe to use.

The exact number of the reduced level of airborne PCBs was not shared; however the goal was to reduce levels so as not to exceed the EPA-recommended level of 300 ng/m3 (nanograms per cubic meter) for exposure for children ages 6 — 12.

Next, clean-up work will focus on bringing the WIS pool and auxiliary gym back to safe exposure guidelines, although a "concrete" date for reopening the two areas is not yet available, said Hernandez, in a message to parents posted at the district's WIS building expansion project website www.walshschoolproject.org

The main gym, locker rooms, pool area and auxiliary gym were closed on August 25, after PCB levels higher than recommended for exposure by those aged 6- 12 years were first detected in the main gym and pool areas, which share air-handling systems with the locker rooms and auxiliary gym. The levels were detected during a pre-construction hazardous building material survey of the entire school building, conducted by the district's consulting team, Langan Engineering and Environmental Consulting Services.

The air-borne PCBs detected in August exceeded the EPA-recommended level for exposure for children　ages 6 — 12,　but were at safe levels for those ages 12 and above (for which the EPA threshold is 500 ng/m3). At the time, air-borne PCBs in the main gym were detected at 407.2 ng/m3; and in the pool area, the levels were found to be at 328.7 ng/m3. Testing was also conducted for PCB levels in dust in all areas, with those levels being determined to be safe.

Following EPA and federal guideline for best management practices, work to restore a safe level of exposure focused on improvements and repairs to the area's air handling system. Langan also implemented a wipe down and clean program and a precautionary covering of exposed caulking with plywood. When WIS was built in 1972, caulking and glazing compounds used at the time included PCBs. Although the caulking and glazing remain intact, PCBs leaching from the materials are believed to have caused the elevated levels.

Those details and others were shared at an informational meeting at WIS on Sept. 21 (see related story or click here). Following the meeting, Hernandez said the district would also begin working to follow up on requests from parents that night. Parents asked the district to provide information on the medical risks associated with the PCB exposure; as well as whether other potentially hazardous materials will be tested at WIS, and if testing will take place at other school building. Responses from the district, when available, will be posted at www.walshschoolproject.org