Student Senate Passes Resolution Demanding Peer Review Testing of Key Locales in Dormitories

On April 24, 2007, the SUNY New Paltz Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the school's administration participate in a split-sample testing scenario with the Student Association.

43rd Student Senate Resolution 42
43rd Student Senate

2nd Session

S.Res.42.1
Demanding Split Sample PCB testing in New Paltz Dormitories IN THE SENATE OF SUNY NEW PALTZ
4/24/2007

A Resolution By Ms. JORDAN (for herself and Mr. HOLMES),

WHEREAS on December 29, 1991, a driver lost control of her car and hit a utility pole in New Paltz, producing an electrical surge and explosions on the SUNY New Paltz campus.

WHEREAS electrical transformers exploded and spread PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) and Dioxins in several locations on campus, including Capen Hall, Scudder Hall, Gage Hall, Bliss Hall, the Coykendall Science building and Parker Theatre.

WHEREAS following the explosions there was a cleanup in the affected buildings after which two types of testing occurred to determine the extent of toxic contamination - wipe samples and air sampling analyses. The tests were conducted by a contracted environmental remediation firm hired by SUNY New Paltz, in conjunction with the Ulster County and New York State Departments of Health.

WHEREAS comprehensive testing of ventilation systems, heating units and electrical conduits has not occured.

WHEREAS The Senate understands that scientific consensus is that exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Dioxins can result in Cancer, suppressed immunity, damage to the hormonal system and birth mutation.

THEREFORE, be it resolved,

That the Student Senate demand that the SUNY administration at New Paltz willingly participate in comprehensive split-sample PCB and Dioxin testing of ventilation systems, heating units and electrical conduits in the four dormitories in question (Capen, Gage, Bliss & Scudder). Split-sampling will consist of simultaneous sampling by two separate New York State certified laboratories, one chosen by the SUNY Administration at New Paltz and the other by the President of the Student Association.

Educational Forum on PCBs and Dioxins at SUNY New Paltz Held May 3rd in Gage Hall

On May 3, 2007 the first ever student-led public forum on the PCB/Dioxin contamination issue at SUNY New Paltz was held in the student lounge at Gage Hall, one of the dorms affected by the 1991 chemical fires incident. Speakers at the forum included Brian Shapiro, an Ulster County Legislator and Chair of the Ulster County Environmental Commission, Mannajo Green of The Hudson River Clearwater Sloop, Inc., Russel Schindler, an environmental lawyer (and formerly the Student Association lawyer at SUNY New Paltz), and George Farrel, an five-time award winning sicence teacher and concerned parent whose daughters attended SUNY at the time of the incident (one of whom lived in an affected dormitory at the time.) The event was moderated by SYNTHESIS coordinator, Aliza Hava. About 100 students were in attendance. The college physician, Peter Haughton, and the head of facilites, John Shupe, were present.

Each speaker had the opportunity to explain their understanding of the incident and the environmental factors and health risks associated with it. Brian Shapiro urged the students to organize in an effort to get sufficient data on the actual extent of contamination of the dorms.

The forum was followed by a Q&A session where students addressed the speakers with their questions and concerns.

The SUNY New Paltz administration maintains that the dormitories, Bliss, Capen, Gage and Scudder Halls have been cleaned to below the federal standards of PCB exposure. However, independent tests by investigative journalist Eric Francis reveal contamination in ventilation units that were never thoroughly inspected or cleaned following the initial incident. For more details, please read through the articles by Eric Francis Coppolino posted in the right hand column.

More to follow......

Investigative Journalist Eric Francis Coppolino speaks at SUNY New Paltz

Thursday, May 10th
LC 102
7:35pm


Since 1991, Eric Francis Coppolino has been researching and reporting
on the electronic transformer fires that released extreme amounts of
dangerous chemicals into six buildings, air, soil and water on the
SUNY New Paltz Campus. He maintains that the University is
intentionally withholding information from students and parents about
the extent of present contamination in the dorms due to the excessive
amount of clean up costs and liability.

The administration admits there are low levels of PCBs present in the
buildings, but that the levels are below state standards and are
"safe." However, the standards they use were created in the 1980's,
and have not taken into account newer research which concludes that
there are NO SAFE LEVELS for exposure to PCBs and Dioxin.

With the help of SYNTHESIS, the Student Senate recently passed a
resolution demanding that the SUNY New Paltz Administration
participate in a peer review testing scenario that will prove the
actual extent of contamination in the dorms. With the support of the
Ulster County Environmental Commission, the Ulster County Legislature
and The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., we intend for the
administration to honor this resolution.

Please spread the word to anyone you know who lives or has lived in
Capen, Gage, Scudder and Bliss Halls that their health may be at risk.

To read Eric Francis Coppolino's articles, please visit
http://www.planetwaves.net/mediakit/