Parents, Activists Call On City To Replace Light Fixtures With PCBs In Schools
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Parents and activists are calling on the city to replace dangerous light fixtures in city schools.
Ralliers at Brooklyn's P.S. 213 said old lights are leaking toxic chemicals called PCBs into classrooms.
They said that the Department of Education's plan to remove them from more than 700 schools over the next 10 years isn't fast enough.
Exposure to PCBs has been linked to cancer, as well as respiratory and developmental disorders.
"It's unacceptable to say that you're willing to push this 10, 15, 20 years into the future to correct a situation that is affecting our children today," said Brooklyn Assemblywoman Inez Barron.
"If you're going to have chemicals, that's not good, and the problem needs to be addressed and acted upon as soon as possible," said parent Crystal Vouse.
Protestors said that P.S. 213 has had two light explosions in the last month.
Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said the school is at the top of the city's list for fixture replacement.