PCB levels in the blood of students in Hesse

Breidenbach: Increased PVB levels in the blood of Hessian students

02/12/2014

Already months ago, increased PCB values ​​had been measured during refurbishment work at a school in Hessen. In the blood of some students, experts have now also found elevated PCB levels. However, professionals rule out an acute health risk.

Slightly elevated levels in the blood
In central Hesse Breidenbach pollutants were found in renovation work at a school months ago. As a school bearer, the district had then offered a voluntary blood test. The agency also has more than 60 more schools and administrative buildings being examined for PCBs. Experts at the University Hospital Aachen have now found slightly elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in their blood among 30 of the 260 students at the Breidenbach center school.

Acute health hazard is excluded
Experts, however, exclude an acute health risk, as the first Kreisbeigeordnete Marburg-Biedenkopf, Marian Zachow reported. It was said that even long-term health impairments were undetectable. PCB was often used in insulation and building materials in the 1960s and 1970s. The substances are dioxin-like substances, are toxic and are thought to cause cancer. The use of PCB was banned in 2001 by the Stockholm Convention worldwide. (Ad)