[CPEO-BIF] Norco High students at "no risk" from vapors

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

I do not find the report below, declaring "no risk" at Norco High
School, re-assuring.

There is significant, though arguable evidence that breathing low levels
of volatile organic compounds, such as TCE and PCE, is unhealthy. If
indeed, ambient levels are generally comparable to indoor contamination
readings, then subslab or indoor ventilation won't do any good.
Contamination will continue to re-enter from the outdoor air.

However, that doesn't mean that everyone inside or outside is safe, or
that the environmental response is complete. Rather, it suggests the
need for a broader cleanup strategy. Continuing industrial or household
use of these products should be phased out. Groundwater plumes and
residual soil contamination should be addressed more quickly, so
continuing releases - whether inside or outdoors - are eliminated or
significantly reduced

This may require environmental and health agencies with distinct
missions to work together.

Lenny

***


School's air test shows no risk

WYLE LABS: Chemical levels in Norco High classrooms are similar to
outside air, experts say.

By LINDA LOU 
Riverside Press-Enterprise (CA)
November 9, 2005

Although some trace levels of cancer-causing chemicals were detected
from samples taken in September from about a dozen Norco High School
classrooms, they do not pose a health risk to students, officials said
Tuesday. 

Three classrooms had "very low" levels of TCE (trichloroethene) and nine
classrooms were found with PCE (tetrachloroethene), according to the
state's Department of Toxic Substances Control fact sheet. The levels
found are similar to what is present in the outdoor air, DTSC said. 

"If, in fact, that is the case, we can't expect the school to be cleaner
than the ambient air," said Bill Hedrick, Corona-Norco school board
president, who has two children attending Norco High. "The good news is
that nothing dramatically different was found." 

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.pe.com/localnews/corona/stories/PE_News_Local_S_cwyle09.39615ff.html

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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