Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Staff:

We are writing to share an update on recent testing for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at two of our Addison Central School District schools. 

After indoor air sampling at Bridport and Middlebury Union High School, the Vermont Departments of Health and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) informed us that no tested room or space in Bridport or MUHS have PCB levels at or above the lowest Vermont School Action Level. You can read more about PCBs, testing procedures, and results below. 

All Vermont schools are subject to testing and we will share the results from our other schools as we have them.  

Sincerely, 

Timothy P. Williams, Ed.D
Interim Superintendent

 

What are PCBs? 

PCBs are a group of human-made chemicals commonly used in building materials and electrical equipment before 1980. PCBs can be released into indoor air from building materials that contain PCBs. PCBs can cause serious health problems. The potential for health effects from PCBs, as with other chemicals, depends on how much, how often, and how long someone is exposed to them. 

Testing Levels

• 30 ng/m3 (nanograms per cubic meter) for pre-kindergarten

• 60 ng/m3 for kindergarten through 6th grade

• 100 ng/m3 for 7th grade through adult

Why are the levels different for each age group?

Food is the main non-school source of exposure to PCBs for most people. Younger children are exposed to more PCBs per their body weight from the food they eat. The school action levels take into account the total exposure to PCBs for students and staff from the food they eat. That is why the school action level is lower for younger children and higher for older children and adults.

Testing Practices 

All testing is done by an environmental consultant who collects samples of indoor air. The samples are processed by a laboratory, and then reviewed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and the Vermont Department of Health. Approximately one third of all rooms and spaces, such as stairways and hallways, in the school were tested. Rooms and spaces not listed were not tested. “Not detected” means that the laboratory did not detect any PCBs.

What about the rooms that were not tested?

Before testing, the consultant evaluated the school building for potential PCB sources and assigned rooms to groups based on the presence of similar building materials, construction and/or renovation dates. About one third of rooms in each group were tested. Rooms that were not tested are assumed to have similar PCB levels as the tested rooms in that same group.

Results:

Results for Middlebury Union High School

MUHS was tested on 7/24/2023: PCBs were detected, but no applicable Vermont School Action Level was exceeded. At least one detected level was between 75 -100 ng/m3 and these space(s) require additional indoor sampling.

Room or Space	Result (ng/m3)
Team Room Basement Bathroom	96
H File Room	39
Hallway H	14
Admin office	12
Electric C	10
C107	9
E102	9
H305A	8
Hallway B	7
E106	7
Kiln Closet	7
Admin Main	Not detected
B104	Not detected
B106	Not detected
Bathroom C	Not detected
C102	Not detected
C111	Not detected
C112	Not detected
D Hallway	Not detected
D103	Not detected
D105	Not detected
D106	Not detected
H 102 Guidance	Not detected
H002	Not detected
H004A	Not detected
H005	Not detected
H008	Not detected
H102 Conference	Not detected
H202E	Not detected
H203	Not detected
H203A	Not detected
H213	Not detected
H303A	Not detected
H305	Not detected
H307	Not detected
H310	Not detected
H311	Not detected
Hallway Basement	Not detected
I102A	Not detected
Janitor C	Not detected
Library	Not detected
Library Office A	Not detected
Tech room office	Not detected
Wrestling	Not detected

 

What happens next? Our goal and the goal of our state partners is to ensure a safe learning environment for students and staff. Since the PCB levels are below the school action level, we don’t need to do anything further. Our schools will continue to use best management practices to reduce PCB exposures in indoor air, as well as manage PCBs in building materials during any renovations. However, if the use of a classroom changes, then these results need to be evaluated against the new use. For example, if a room is currently used for 7th grade and then needs to be used for 6th grade, then the results need to be evaluated against the school action level for the K-6 age group.

 

Results for Bridport School:

Bridport was tested on 5/8/2023: No applicable Vermont School Action Level was exceeded. 

Room or Space	Result (ng/m3)
Grade 1-2	5
Gym	9
Gym Storage Closet	9
Janitor’s Office	8
Kitchen	6
Nurse's Office	6
Pre-K	4

What happens next? No further action is required at this time. 

Questions?

• Find more information about PCBs, including the complete test results, at dec.vermont.gov/pcb-schools.

• For testing and test results questions, email SOV.PCBSampling@vermont.gov.

• For health-related questions, call 1-800-439-8550.