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LORETTA
POWELL
PRESIDENT
BRAD LINDELL
VICE PRESIDENT
NEGOTIATIONS
DOUG SPOSATO
VICE PRESIDENT
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CONNETQUOT
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
TEACHERS
INFORMING THE COMMUNITY
• TEACHERS
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
Again, Chemical Waste Tank Backs Up
into
Classroom at High School
The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department
of Environmental Conservation and the Public Employee
Safety and Health Bureau have been contacted due to
the ongoing chemical backup problem at the High School.
Please see original posting entitled Chemical Waste
Tank Backs Up into Classroom at High School dated
October 19, 2006 that outlines past problems with this
chemical waste tank.
The Association took this action for several reasons:
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Given the potential magnitude of
the problem and possible adverse impact on health
and safety, the New York Committee on Health and Safety
and the New York State United Teachers strongly urged
the Association to contact these agencies.
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The ongoing concern regarding the
toxicity of the liquid backup and the impact it can
have on the health and safety of students, teachers
and other staff.
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After the chemical waste backup
in 10/06, the contents were never analyzed to determine
the level of toxicity. This was despite teachers asking
for an analysis to determine health and safety risks.
After the current backup, the teachers again asked
for an analysis. On 1/10/08, a report was received
by the CTA outlining an analysis of samples taken
from sink traps in the science rooms. The report indicated
that four chemicals were present. The District stated
that the amount contained in the samples were well
below the Suffolk County Health Department standards.
Air quality testing also indicated "No detectable
concentrations of VOCs (i.e., Volatile Organic
Compounds) in any of the science rooms."
The report is currently under review by the Department
of Environmental Conservation.
There was concern expressed regarding the above referenced
analysis conducted by the District. The contents of
the backup where never directly addressed. Instead,
a "composite" from all the science rooms
were subjected to analysis. This would not allow for
a measurement of concentration levels of toxic chemicals
in the chemical backup. The Association is awaiting
for the opinion of the Department of Environmental
Concervation on this matter.
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The manner in which the chemical
backup was cleaned. Besides not determining the toxicity
of the chemicals prior to the cleanup, the custodial
staff was instructed to use a liquid vacuum to clean
the backup. No emergency plan was apparently followed
for identification and appropriate cleanup and disposal
of the contents of the backup.
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Additional staff (i.e., custodial
staff) could have been exposed to toxic chemicals
due to not following an emergency plan.
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The problem has been described
as chronic. There has reportedly been many problems
with the chemical waste tank in the past.
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"The toxic waste tank monitoring
equipment is located in Room 117. The equipment
is not working and apparently has never been functional.
The district should be concerned about liability
for possible EPA (i.e., Environmental Protection
Agency) violations and continued chemical exposures
to students and staff. The monitoring equipment
must be fixed and appropriate school staff trained
in its operation. A consultant should be brought
in to assess the condition of the tank and make
sure it is not leaking."
Despite this assessment, there
was no training of staff, no emergency plan for cleanup
that protects students, teachers and other staff members
and problems with the monitoring system continue.
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