Project 3: Emissions and remediation of airborne PCBs in schools

Studies have shown that PCBs are released as gases from surfaces where Aroclors are present. Once in air, PCBs are inhaled and may pose a significant health risk, especially to children and adolescents. The overall vulnerability of children to these chemicals and the frequent diagnoses of attention deficit and metabolic syndrome, two health conditions linked with PCB exposure, highlight the critical need to identify sources of PCB contamination and reduce their levels in schools.

Goal

Understand the relationship between observed concentrations of PCBs in the air with their specific sources and identify the remediation necessary to reduce PCB exposure to sensitive populations.

Aims

1. Identify predictive relationships between airborne PCBs and building characteristics in classrooms that are broadly applicable to schools across the country
2. Determine the mechanism by which PCBs are emitted from Aroclor-containing building materials
3. Determine the effect of targeted material remediation