Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Standard Precaution01:26

Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)01:30

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a science-based, preventive system used globally to ensure food safety by identifying, evaluating, and controlling biological, chemical, and physical hazards throughout food production. Originally developed by NASA and the Pillsbury Company for astronaut food, HACCP is now a core component of the Codex Alimentarius.HACCP operates on prerequisite programs—such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation procedures, and supplier...
Household Wiring And Electrical Safety01:13

Household Wiring And Electrical Safety

Companies that supply power to most modern households use three conductors, typically called a three-wire line. While one is neutral, the other two are both at 120 V but with opposite polarity, giving a voltage of 240 V between them. With a three-wire line, high-power appliances that require 240 V, such as electric stoves and clothes dryers, are linked between the two hot lines. 120 V appliances can be connected between the neutral and either of the hot lines. The neutral side, which is always...
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II01:30

Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II

Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Trends in antidepressant and antianxiety medication use in patients evaluated for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Heart rhythm·2026
Same author

The Association Between Unrecognized Hypovolemia and Head-Up Tilt Testing Positivity.

JACC. Advances·2025
Same author

Taming the Problem List.

Family practice management·2023
Same author

Racial Differences in Detection of Fever Using Temporal vs Oral Temperature Measurements.

JAMA·2023
Same author

Detection of atrial fibrillation in asymptomatic at-risk individuals.

International journal of cardiology·2021
Same author

Protecting worker and public health during responses to catastrophic disasters-learning from the World Trade Center experience.

American journal of industrial medicine·2014

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

The Portable Chemical Sterilizer (PCS), D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military
14:17

The Portable Chemical Sterilizer (PCS), D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military

Published on: June 29, 2014

PCBs in schools: what about school maintenance workers?

David M Newman1

  • 1New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health, New York, NY 10038, USA. dave@nycosh.org

New Solutions : a Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy : NS
|July 13, 2010
PubMed
Summary

School maintenance workers face high risks from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in caulk. This commentary highlights occupational health concerns overlooked by current environmental regulations and agency actions.

More Related Videos

Universal Screening for Prevention of Reading, Writing, and Math Disabilities in Spanish
14:43

Universal Screening for Prevention of Reading, Writing, and Math Disabilities in Spanish

Published on: July 18, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

The Portable Chemical Sterilizer (PCS), D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military
14:17

The Portable Chemical Sterilizer (PCS), D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military

Published on: June 29, 2014

Universal Screening for Prevention of Reading, Writing, and Math Disabilities in Spanish
14:43

Universal Screening for Prevention of Reading, Writing, and Math Disabilities in Spanish

Published on: July 18, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Occupational Health
  • Public Policy

Background:

  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in building materials, particularly caulk, are a growing concern, especially in schools.
  • Environmental and parent activism has increased government agency attention on PCBs in schools.
  • The occupational health risks for school maintenance workers and contractors handling PCB caulk are often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess recent developments concerning PCBs in schools from an occupational health perspective.
  • To highlight the potential for high exposure and risk among school maintenance personnel.
  • To examine the roles of regulatory agencies like OSHA, EPA, and the New York State Education Department.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent regulatory actions and policy developments.
  • Analysis of occupational exposure risks associated with PCB caulk maintenance.
  • Commentary on the intersection of environmental policy and worker safety.

Main Results:

  • Government agencies are increasing focus on PCBs in schools, driven by external pressure.
  • There is a notable lack of consideration for the occupational health of maintenance workers.
  • Workers involved in PCB caulk maintenance may experience the highest exposures.

Conclusions:

  • Current regulatory approaches to PCBs in schools inadequately address worker safety.
  • Occupational health must be a central consideration in policies regarding PCB remediation.
  • Further attention is needed to protect school maintenance workers from PCB exposure.