EPA finishes first round of testing for air pollution at Cupertino school
A first round of data will be available soon on the air being tested around Stevens Creek Elementary School, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The early results regarding levels of chromium VI were scheduled to be released in early August on the EPA's school air program Web site.
Stevens Creek Elementary School is one of 62 schools selected by the EPA to test and monitor air quality as part of a study on whether outdoor toxic air pollution poses health risks to students.
'This is the first round of more to come,' said Margot Perez-Sullivan, an agency spokesperson for EPA Region 9. The EPA has been testing for hexavalent chromium on the school site since June. Stevens Creek is the only school in Northern California on the monitoring list announced in late March.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is working with the EPA on the testing. Samples have been collected every six days and sent to a lab for analysis. Perez-Sullivan said that the EPA is being protective of which days the air is being tested.
The school on Ainsworth Drive is a short drive from the Lehigh Southwest Cement plant on Stevens Creek Boulevard. Chromium VI is often a byproduct of cement production, stainless steel production, ore refining, chemical and refractory processing and other sources.
Those who have been exposed to high levels of Chromium VI over long periods could be more susceptible health problems including lung cancer, according to the EPA. The EPA has not announced any immediate health risks to the school.
If chromium VI levels are found significantly high, then the EPA will work with the community, local air district and Lehigh to find ways to reduce chromium VI levels.
The cement plant uses a natural iron ore material, which plant officials said is lower in chromium than steel slag. The Lehigh site does not use steel slag in its manufacturing processes. Lehigh officials told the Courier in April that they welcomed the testing. Officials said a clean bill of health for Stevens Creek Elementary could help calm local concerns about the plant.
The 62 schools listed by the EPA are mostly near large industries or in dense urban areas where air toxins come from a combination of and small industry and heavy road traffic.
Customer comments
No comments were found for EPA finishes first round of testing for air pollution at Cupertino school. Be the first to comment!