Like Chattanooga, Tennessee, the city of Hartford, Connecticut is facing a serious and deadly situation due to the potential exposure of its children, alumni and staff to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in public schools. We, parents, teachers, staff members, students, and concerned residents of Hartford, feel a deep sense of alarm and anxiety over this. PCBs are classified as probable human carcinogens, and exposure could lead to a range of chronic illnesses or even a death sentence. Yet despite widespread recognition of their danger, testing for PCBs is not a statewide requirement in Connecticut.

The health and safety of the hundreds attending Hartford public schools hang in the balance. A study in the Environmental Health journal found that children exposed to PCBs in schools had higher rates of asthma and learning disabilities, signaling the urgent need for mandatory testing. Failure to do so endanger generations of Hartford's children as well as its dedicated staff. And we can't sit idle while that happens.

Therefore, we call upon the Connecticut State Board of Education and the City of Hartford to make immediate and mandatory testing for PCBs in all Hartford Public Schools and all inner city schools statewide. This is more than school safety; it is about public health and protecting our future. Sign this petition if you believe in a safe, toxin-free learning environment for all students and staff.