School Safety; Check the Caulk

We tend to think that safety hazards in our schools mostly consist of spreading germs or falling off the monkey bars. The Environmental Protection Agency has brought a new more serious peril to our attention, caulk.

It is estimated that 100's of schools nationwide have caulking containing cancer-causing PCBs. The EPA has set up a call line at (888)835-5372 for further information.

The magnitude of the problem is hard to fathom as it could potentially involve school buildings errected between 1950 and 1978 when caulks containing PCBs were banned.

Safety recommendations include use of exhaust fans and vacuums with high efficency filtration systems, frequent hand washing particularly before eating or drinking and avoiding use of dry brooms and dusters near old caulking.

For more information see http://cfpub.epa.gov/schools/top_sub.cfm?t_id=43&s_id=121