Back Within PCB Exposure Guidelines, Branford Intermediate's Auxiliary Gym Re-Opens
With results showing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) levels to now be within exposure guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Branford Superintendent of School Hamlet Hernandez informed parents that the Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) auxiliary gym would be re-opened for students as of this Monday, January 29, 2018.
The auxiliary gym was the final area to be brought within exposure guidelines. As previously reported, the main gym, locker rooms, pool area and auxiliary gym were closed on August 25, 2017, 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 main gym and locker rooms were re-opened in late September, followed by the pool.
Hernandez shared the news of the auxiliary gym update in a letter distributed to parents on January 26, 2018. See the letter here
The district was notified of the December and January test results by Langan Engineering and will share the exact number for the reduced level of airborne PCBs, when available, at the district website, www.branford.k12.ct.us, Hernandez noted.
"As we have done with previous testing, the report prepared by Langan, documenting the most recent indoor air sampling results will be posted to the District's website once it is available. I wish to thank the entire WIS staff for their professionalism and flexibility during this construction related challenge. I also, wish to thank the parents/guardians and students for their patience and support during this time," Hernandez wrote.
As with the previous work undertaken in past months to reopen the main gym, locker rooms and pool, 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.
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.