Environmental Safety at AWE & EnCompass
Overview of Environmental Testing at the Acorn Woodland/EnCompass Campus
- On advice of the Alameda County Environmental Health Department, OUSD tested soil vapor at numerous outdoor locations on the Acorn Woodland/EnCompass Campus.
- The results of that testing showed the elevated levels of three chemicals, Perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and Trichloroethylene (TCE).
- There is no known risk at this time; however, PCE, benzene, and TCE are carcinogens that may cause harm with long-term exposure in the air.
- The State agency that oversees investigations and cleanup of hazardous materials releases to the environment did not recommend closing the Acorn/EnCompass campus or imposing access restrictions to buildings.
- The next step is to test the indoor air to see if these chemicals are also present inside the school buildings.
- OUSD will test the air inside all buildings across the campus.
- Indoor air testing is expected to begin on or around September 15/16 - final results are expected to be made public by mid to late November.
Contacts
- Oakland Unified School District
- City of Oakland
- County of Alameda
- Office of State Assembly Member Rob Bonta
- Office of State Senator Nancy Skinner
- Alameda County Department of Environmental Health
- California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- Bay Area Air Quality Management District (For Outdoor Air Questions)
Oakland Unified School District
City of Oakland
County of Alameda
Office of State Assembly Member Rob Bonta
Office of State Senator Nancy Skinner
Alameda County Department of Environmental Health
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (For Outdoor Air Questions)
Resources & Communications
Community Letters
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why did OUSD test the soil vapor at the Woodland Elementary/EnCompass Academy/Acorn Woodland CDC (“Acorn/EnCompass”) Campus?
- When did OUSD test the soil vapor and when did OUSD get the results?
- What did OUSD do when they received the soil vapor test results?
- What is PCE and what are its potential health impacts?
- What is benzene and what are its potential health impacts?
- What is TCE and what are its potential health impacts?
- Should students or staff be seen by a doctor?
- PCE, benzene, and TCE were found in the soil vapor. Does this mean it is in the indoor air?
- Would staff, students, and families have been affected by PCE, benzene, or TCE from coming recently to the Acorn/EnCompass Campus to register and/or pick up packets or devices?
- What are the possible effects on children who have dug/played in the dirt on the Acorn/EnCompass Campus?
- What are the possible effects on children and adults who have been on the Acorn/EnCompass Campus for many years?
- Some staff, families, and students have reported smelling a burning plastic smell in the air at the Acorn/EnCompass Campus. Could this be connected to PCE, benzene, or TCE?
- How can PCE, benzene, and TCE be contained or mitigated in the soil vapor?
- If PCE, benzene, and TCE are in the indoor air, what happens then? Can the chemicals be mitigated?
- How high were the levels of PCE, benzene, and TCE? How did these levels vary across the Acorn/EnCompass Campus?
- What does the District know about any contamination from PCE, benzene, and TCE in the surrounding neighborhood?
- What is OUSD going to do to make sure that it is safe for students and students to be on the Acorn/EnCompass Campus?
- When will indoor air testing start? How long will it last? When will we know the results?
- Does OUSD know the source(s) of the PCE, benzene, and/or TCE?
- Does OUSD know how long PCE, benzene, and TCE has been in the soil vapor?
- Is PCE, benzene, or TCE a threat to the drinking water on the Acorn/EnCompass Campus?
- How many other schools in OUSD have contaminants in the groundwater, soil, or air?
- What has been done or is being done to inform families who live in the neighborhood?
- Has there been/will there be additional testing in the neighborhood (off campus)?
- What entities are involved in conducting and reviewing the environmental testing on the Acorn/EnCompass Campus?
- Should the Acorn/EnCompass Campus community contact other entities/individuals?