FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         ENR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1997                        DOJ (202) 514-2008
                                               EPA (215) 566-5547
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888
                                 
           EPA, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR CLEAN UP
                     OF PHILADELPHIA SCHOOLS


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The School District of Philadelphia will
complete its ongoing cleanup, upgrade and removal of electrical
transformers containing PCBs at 12 school buildings, under an
agreement reached today with the Environmental Protection Agency
and the Department of Justice.

     The agreement, filed today in U.S. District Court in
Philadelphia, sets a timetable for completing the cleanup work,
which includes schedules for transporting and disposing the
transformers at EPA-approved facilities.

     EPA Administrator Michael McCabe said the agreement formalizes
efforts already under way with the school district to prevent the
possibility that students and teachers could be exposed to PCBs in
the future.  EPA and the school district have taken these steps
before any harm has resulted from the use of this toxic chemical. 

     "This settlement reflects our commitment to protecting the
health of our children", said Lois Schiffer, Assistant Attorney
General in charge of the Justice Department's Environment and
Natural Resources Division.  "Strong enforcement of our nation's
environmental laws is vital to the health and well-being of future
generations." 
 
     The district has improved its inspection program and plans to
upgrade or remove the remaining transformers.  In addition, leaking
transformers have been repaired and the school district has cleaned
up visible PCB stains.  Any other contaminated materials will be
transported to EPA-approved disposal facilities.  The agency has
been providing technical guidance to the school district to ensure
that the cleanup complies with federal rules governing the use and
disposal of PCBs.

     The transformers containing PCBs are in basements or vaults
which are not accessible to students and teachers.

     EPA and a school district contractor inspected 59 district
buildings.  The school district independently surveyed all of its
buildings.  These inspections showed that a total of 29
transformers remain at eight senior high, three middle and one
elementary school buildings.  Some of the transformers require
additional work or replacement to prevent the possibility of
rupture from potential electrical faults.  Although PCB
transformers equipped with rupture and fire protection may still be
used in these schools, the school district is working to eventually
remove them.

     PCBs, or Polychlorinated biphenyls are chemicals that
historically have been used worldwide to insulate electrical
transformers.  Unless properly managed, they may leak, threatening
public health and the environment.

     To receive an EPA fact sheet for parents and staff, please
call 1-800-438-2474.
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