The West Contra Costa Unified School District has temporarily closed Kennedy High School in Richmond after vapor tests detected tetrachloroethylene (PCE) on campus. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said the closure is "out of an abundance of caution" and no students or staff may enter the site until further testing and any mitigation are completed. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control reviewed preliminary results and found no immediate danger but requires additional testing to confirm safety. District officials are coordinating with state and city agencies and will update families as the situation evolves.
Richmond’s Kennedy High Temporarily Closed After PCE Vapor Detected — Further Testing Underway
A Bay Area school, Kennedy High School in Richmond, California, will remain closed until inspectors from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) confirm the campus is safe for students and staff, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) officials said.
Kennedy High School in Richmond, California. Google Maps
Vapor testing on campus detected tetrachloroethylene — commonly known as PCE or perchloroethylene — a solvent often used in dry cleaning and industrial degreasing. Kennedy High is located about 20 miles northeast of San Francisco.
Vapor test results showed levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) on site. Getty Images/Tetra images RF
"We recognize the urgency of this situation and that this is a concerning update as the start of the school year is rapidly approaching," District Superintendent Cheryl Cotton wrote in an email to families. "Out of an abundance of caution, no staff or students will be allowed on campus until further testing and any necessary mitigation are complete."
WCCUSD said the DTSC reviewed preliminary vapor results and indicated that, based on those initial findings, there is no immediate risk to health and safety. However, DTSC has advised additional testing and verification before the campus can reopen.
A high school student walks down a dark hallway in a public high school, silhouetted by daylight spilling in and reflecting off of the floor and lockers, on Friday, September 4, 2009. Getty Images
Health Risks and Response Steps
Tetrachloroethylene exposure can affect the nervous system, liver, kidneys and reproductive system, and federal health authorities note it may increase the risk of certain cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that exposure can be especially harmful to developing fetuses.
The district plans follow-up vapor testing, possible mitigation or cleanup if elevated PCE levels are confirmed, and contingency logistics for students ahead of the new school year. School officials are coordinating closely with the DTSC, the City of Richmond and the California Department of Education.
As a precaution, no students or staff are currently permitted on campus until the DTSC and district officials complete additional testing and sign off on safety measures. Officials said they will provide regular updates to families and staff as the situation develops.
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