The West Contra Costa Unified School District announced Monday that levels of a toxic chemical were found underneath Richmond’s Kennedy High School, prohibiting entry onto campus.
According to a message from West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Cheryl Cotton, the Department of Toxic Substances Control said “there is no immediate risk to health and safety” following the preliminary vapor test. However, the district made the decision to prohibit staff and students from entering the Kennedy High School campus “out of an abundance of caution” until additional testing is completed, the message said.
On Friday, Cotton said the Department of Toxic Substances Control shared preliminary vapor test results with the school district that revealed tetrachloroethylene underneath the high school. The CDC said tetrachloroethylene, also known as PERC and PCE, is used as a dry cleaning agent and metal degreasing solvent, and can harm the nervous system, liver, kidneys and reproductive system.
Over the weekend, the school district worked with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Department of Education and city of Richmond to plan for further testing and possible mitigation efforts.
Cotton sent a message to the Kennedy High School community, and the district announced the news Monday in a release. Cotton said in her message that the district is working with the city, county and state to determine where Kennedy High School students and staff will begin their school year, which would start this month.
“We recognize the urgency of this situation and that this is a concerning update as the start of the school year is rapidly approaching,” Cotton said in the message. “We want to assure our community and staff that we will continue operating swiftly, transparently, and with the utmost care for the health and safety of all of our students and staff.”
