Document npMwRE6xaONZO6VypJwrDJb5w

Following is a verbatim transcript from ABC Network News of March 24, 1981: Max Robinson: Increasingly we have been learning of the serious health problems caused by chemicals. Including PCBs, a suspected cancer causing agent banned In 1970. Well, the PCB problem has now surfaced in a suburb of Cincinnati where it has forced the closing of an elementary school. Rebecca Chase reports: The 600 students at Our Lady of Visitation School were told to go home yesterday because their school was hazardous to their health. Ever since last December when an electrical siotor overheated and gave off fumes, the children have been complaining of skin rashea, swollen eyes and difficulty in breathing. Parents became concerned. (Greg Troeler, parent): "My daughter was coming home with this rash, her face was fire red, she had bumps or small otarka on her face and I got really scared." Federal agencies tested the classrooms and found nothing. But parents knew something was making their children sick. That's when Troeler, an electrician, askad to look at the electrical motor. "He took the serial numbers off the capacitators and the ator. He called the factory. The factory acknowledged that yes, it did contain PCB when it was manufactured." Has it possible that this small school was filled with PCBs? Last Friday, the health department said yes the school was contaminated and on Monday ordered it closed. Dr. Harold Jacobs, DVM, Hamilton County HONS 019329 Transcript from ABC Network News--March 24, 1981 (Cont'd) --2 Health Comaissloner, said "Certainly I'm not going to permit it to open until 1 feel sure the rooms can be used safely." (Judy Roth, parent): "You don't feel any better knowing what caused this. It's very upsetting. I worry for my child's health." Federal agencies and local specialists are conducting further tests but parents here are confused and upset. They want answers to hard questions like have their children been poisoned? And will their school ever be safe enough to open again. Rebecca Chase, ABC, Mac, Ohio. -0O0- HQNS 019330