By Serena Solomon
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN — A toxic chemical in an Upper West Side school has finally led to action after city officials announced last week a pilot program to test, assess and reduce exposure in schools throughout the city.
A dust laced with the dangerous chemical known as PCBs, was discovered at PS 199 in 2008 and led to two years of lobbying by parents and elected officials to insure the safety of students. High levels of PCBs have since been found in other New York schools.
The city is now planning to test selected schools throughout the five boroughs for the chemical that was used in the construction of buildings from 1950 to 1977.
"I am happy that they are starting to look at something," said Nancy Rothman, who holds a Ph.D in chemistry and provided technical support to the PTA at PS 199. "At least they are starting the process."
According to Rothman, prolong exposure to PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, can cause such aliments as respiratory problems and even cancer. Rothman said the level of PCBs only became a concern when the windows at PS 199 were carelessly removed, releasing the toxic dust.
Kimberly Norton Butler, who no longer lives in Manhattan had two children at the school. She was also a vice president of the PTA when the chemical was first discovered.
"We (PTA) did our own testing and lot of things came up quite high (with toxins)," Norton Butler said. "The rugs we tested were contaminated with PCBs. Children and teachers were cleaning up dust on a daily basis."
Norton Butler said while the parents at PS 199 brought the chemical's presence into the limelight, her concerns was for children who have already been exposed.
"We need to see if there is are any long term affects of being exposed to PCBs over weeks and months," Norton Butler said. "People have tried to sweep it under the rug but it is still an issue."
The deputy press secretary from the New York City Department of Education, Marge Feinberg could not confirm if the program would include testing children who have been exposed toPCBs.
PS 199 did not return a call for comment.
