THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER

FERNANDO CABRERA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Cooper, kcooper@council.nyc.gov Office 347-590-2874 ext. 209 - Cell 917-5576928

MEDIA ALERT
COUNCIL MEMBER FERNANDO CABRERAS SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
LEGISLATION IS SET FOR A VOTE IN THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.
WHAT:

The Education Committee is holding a hearing this Wednesday to vote on

Intro 126, a bill that would require the reporting of environmental data
regarding schools. The purpose of this legislation is to establish clear
procedures in relation to environmental inspections and guarantee the right
to access assessment results in a timely fashion.
This legislation was prompted by the environmental disaster at P.S. 51 in
2011 in which the Department of Education failed to notify parents, students,
and staff about the results of the environmental inspection performed on
site. It took the department over six month to reveal the findings of levels of
a carcinogen airborne toxin that were 10 times the state safety limit. Also, in
2008, elevated levels of a toxic chemical known as PCBS were found in New
York City school buildings, raising serious health concerns.
Students, parents, and staff have the right to know if their school
environment is safe and free of airborne toxins. This legislation provides a
way to improve school safety. It makes environmental information more
readily accessible and it gives the school community the assurance that they
are in a healthy and enriching environment, said Council Member
Fernando Cabrera.

Intro 126 is expected to come to the floor for a vote at the Stated Meeting on
Thursday, January 22nd.

WHEN:
WHERE:
WHO:

Wednesday, January 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.

250 Broadway, 16th floor
Council Member Fernando Cabrera
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