Our daughters, Kimberley and Cherie, were exposed to chemicals used for renovations at their elementary school during open session from November 1994 through March 1995. Our children first became ill in November of 1994 when coal tar pitch and other products used for carpet installation, roofing, and asphalt paving produced fumes that contaminated the air in their school. We had not been informed of the plans for renovation and the possible risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals. Other children also became ill and reported symptoms that included headaches, stomachaches, and nausea.

In January 1995 during the application of a new, rubberized, gymnasium floor, our children again experienced symptoms, this time of a more serious nature. This type of gym floor is a poured liquid and included the use of chemicals such as methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, lead chromate, titanium dioxide, methylenebis, ethyl benzene, and acetates. The use of these chemicals in a school environment when children are present is a serious health hazard, as the lungs and skin easily absorb them.

The first application of the gym floor did not adhere properly and required sanding to prepare the surface for a second application. The sanding released dust particles (that contained lead chromate and other chemicals) throughout the school. After the sanding and second floor application, our children were frequently out of school due to illness as a result of the exposure to these hazardous chemicals. Although both teachers and children had reactions due to chemical exposure, parents were never notified of any chemical hazard in the school.

Kimberley experienced an increasing number of headaches and stomachaches, vomiting, lethargy, and congestion. Cherie became extremely ill with an inflamed pancreas and lost 5 pounds in three weeks. Due to the effect of the exposure on Cherie¹s pancreas, she still requires four to six small meals a day to maintain her weight. Both children experienced broken bones. Xylene and toluene, chemicals used in the application of the gym floor, attack the bone marrow, making the skeleton more vulnerable to injury. In addition, they both experienced bronchiole asthma, which required the use of an inhaler. They both still suffer from unexplained headaches and stomachaches.

The diagnoses of both children was traced to their exposure to chemicals used in the gym floor renovation. We contacted every agency in the state of New Jersey for assistance. We were informed that there were no laws prohibiting the use of chemicals in schools while children are present and that their parents do not have to be notified. There was not a single reporting agency where parents could file a formal written complaint. In addition, we found that there are no standards for children¹s exposure to chemicals as data is based on the body weight of an average adult male.

In January 1998, after writing numerous letters to our state legislators, the New Jersey Parent/Student Right to Know Law (Senate Bill No. 246), was passed and signed by Governor Christine Whitman. This law prohibits the use or storage of certain hazardous chemicals, except in emergency situations, in schools and child care centers when children are present. Parents must be notified each year of this law and their "right to know" the names of chemicals being used in community chools. We are now working on a Federal law to include all schools in the U.S.

Eileen Fox testified before the NJ State Senate and Assembly Committees concerning the use of chemicals in schools. She was a keynote speaker at the 1998 Washington D.C. conference, Tools for Schools, and was awarded the 1998 NJ Environmental Federation Achievement Commendation.

<<Back