Overview
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are human-made chemicals that were used in building materials and electrical equipment before 1980. Schools renovated or built before 1980 are more likely to have PCBs in their building materials, typically caulk and fluorescent light ballasts.
Vermont has requirements for schools to test for PCBs and to make fixes if levels are high. In 2021, the Vermont legislature passed Act 74 requiring all schools built or renovated before 1980 to test their indoor air for PCBs. Testing of schools will be completed by July 2027. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has the authority to require schools to make fixes that will lower exposure to PCBs, if levels are found at or above the school action level.
The Department of Health's PCB webpage has more informaton about PCBs. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document about the PCBs in schools program is available.
Questions? If you have additional questions about PCBs in schools, please email SOV.PCBSampling@vermont.gov.
PCBs in Schools Testing Schedule
Testing in schools began in spring 2022. A list of schools required to test and schedule of testing is available in PDF and Excel. For schools scheduled after June 2024 that have not yet tested, future testing will occur in scheduled order as funding becomes available for initial indoor air quality testing. Initial air quality testing includes inventory followed by indoor air sampling.
At this time, the Agency of Natural Resources (Agency) is prioritizing funding work at specific schools with elevated concentrations of PCBs in indoor air. The Agency wants to support schools who wish to move forward using their funds to continue investigating, mitigating, and responding to PCB releases. The Agency will work to reimburse school funded work when additional funding becomes available. All PCB related work requires review and approval by the Department of Environmental Conservation before work is started to ensure compliance with rules and regulations and to be eligible for reimbursement.
DEC has hired consultants to do the indoor air testing for PCBs at the schools. Contact information is available for DEC Project Managers and environmental consultants performing the sampling.
Notification Letters
The State of Vermont has prepared template letters for school officials to use to notify their school community about upcoming testing and the results.
Pre-Testing Letters
Templates for the PCBs in Schools pre-testing notification letter are available in English, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Dari, Dinka, French, Kirundi, Nepali, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese.
Result Letters
Indoor Air Sampling Process for PCBs
See the indoor air sampling process for information on the sampling process occurring in schools. Total Aroclor results in ng/m3 will be reported.
Test Results
Once testing in underway, schools will be notified of the results and will be sent an individualized letter outlining next steps.
Temporary Occupancy Options and Next Steps
Results at or above the school action level (SAL) may indicate that PCB sources are likely present. Information on how the SALs were calculated is available on the Department of Health's website. Along with the results, schools will be given temporary occupancy options to choose from while they work with the State to address the PCB sources. All these options will protect students and staff – to different degrees – from exposure to PCBs while the school works to lower the levels over the long term.
Department of Health has information on temporary occupancy options.
Questions? If you have questions about PCBs in schools, please email SOV.PCBSampling@vermont.gov.
Technical Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
See our FAQs
Questions? If you have additional questions about PCBs in schools, please email SOV.PCBSampling@vermont.gov.
