March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Citizen’s Lawsuit Alleges PCB Contamination In Malibu Classrooms:

A citizen’s lawsuit filed today accuses Malibu school officials of violating the federal Toxic Substances Control Act by failing to decontaminate the city’s combined elementary, middle and high school campuses of allegedly illegal levels of cancer-causing chemicals embedded in caulk and other building materials.

The suit, lodged in Los Angeles federal court, seeks immediate removal of materials identified as containing toxic polychlorinated biphenyls — PCBs — in concentrations above those allowed by law. The plaintiffs are also seeking expedited PCB testing of all school facilities.

Gail Pinsker, a Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District spokeswoman, said she had not yet seen the lawsuit, and, in any case, could not comment on pending litigation.

The suit was filed by America Unites for Kids, representing parents and other concerned Malibu residents, and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, on behalf of Concerned Malibu/Cabrillo Teachers, a group of 30 teachers and staff at the Malibu schools.

The complaint names all members of the district’s board of education, its superintendent, associate superintendent and chief financial officer.

The suit alleges that since October 2013, when a group of 20 teachers jointly complained of health problems, including thyroid cancers they believed were linked to contaminated classrooms, the district has avoided a comprehensive source testing of the campuses.

Instead of immediately addressing PCBs allegedly embedded in building materials, the district has scheduled work to begin in late June, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit alleges that independent tests beginning last July have identified levels of PCBs in caulk up to 7,000 times the legal limit.

The district spurned an offer by model Cindy Crawford, a Malibu parent who has since removed her children from the public schools, to personally pay for comprehensive source testing, according to the suit.

“The district had ample notice and more than ample opportunity to avoid litigation but has not moved a step toward complying with the law to insure safety for students and teachers,” said PEER Senior Counsel Paula Dinerstein. “Across the country, we see school districts faced with similar conditions opt for immediate and complete removal but, by comparison, Malibu school officials seem stuck in the sand.”

Teachers who expressed concern about working in classrooms where illegal levels of PCBs have been identified have been threatened with termination, the complaint alleges.

“For almost two school years, our district leadership has blatantly disregarded the law and put our kids and teachers at unnecessary risk,” said Jennifer deNicola, president of America Unites for Kids.

“No amount of cleaning with wet rags can remove PCBs and guarantee no exposure for our children and teachers, she said. “The law is the law, and the Toxic Substances Control Act requires removal of any PCBs above 50 parts-per- million — that is the remedy we demand.”

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....