Lease Renewal At Bronx New School Leads To Discovery Of Toxic Chemical TCE
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - A two-story, red brick industrial building on Jerome Avenue has been home to the Bronx New School for twenty years.
WCBS 880's Alex Silverman In The Bronx
Podcast
But when its lease came up for renewal, the Department of Education had to test for toxic chemicals.
What they found confirmed some parents' fears.
There was 10 times the limit of TCE (also known as trichloroethylene) which could cause serious nerve, liver, and kidney problems, according to health officials.
Now the education department has decided students won't be back there in the fall and it's looking for a new building.
But the real question is how long have they been learning in a toxic environment?
Spokeswoman Margie Feinberg says this is the first time they tested the builidng.
The issue of toxins in New York City schools has gained publicity lately, with parents pushing for testing for PCBs.
When asked if it's possible that it's been this way for 20 years, there was no answer.
