High school teachers mysterious illnesses


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School officials in Malibu, California, have launched an investigation into complaints that teachers' recent cancer diagnoses and other health problems may have been brought on by toxins on campus.

Twenty-one teachers at Malibu High School voiced concerns that their "health has been adversely effected [sic] as a result of working in our particular buildings," according to a letter addressed to Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's risk management specialist Gary Bradbury.

Three teachers at the school, which includes grades six through 12, have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer within the last six months, the letter said, and another teacher has bladder cancer.

In addition, the staff members list migraines, skin rashes, unexplained hair loss and respiratory problems as some of the medical conditions plaguing the staff over the past five years, the letter from the teachers said.

The complaints came after the district hired a contractor to remove soil from the middle school quad in 2010. The soil contained carcinogenic PCBs, lead and other pesticides.

The teachers are demanding the district have each of their classrooms and the school's theater tested for mold and asbestos, among other toxins, the letter said. They also want the school to test the soil outside and underneath the buildings they work in.

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The teachers are demanding the district have each of their classrooms and the school's theater tested for mold and asbestos, among other toxins, the letter said. They also want the school to test the soil outside and underneath the buildings they work in.

I'm confused, how would soil cause their issues? I don't think they're rolling around / eating the dirt.
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I'm confused, how would soil cause their issues? I don't think they're rolling around / eating the dirt.

 

You should check out that school, Malibu High School, Malibu, CA, on Google Maps. It sits right up against a hill all along the back end that is mostly dirt. The wind blows and it gets in the school in many ways, like dust buildup. It literally could be in the air, or the water supply, or the mold. Digging up that area could have even spread a lot of that dirt or exposed another layer of toxins through subsequent erosion.

 

The soil contained carcinogenic PCBs, lead and other pesticides.

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You should check out that school, Malibu High School, Malibu, CA, on Google Maps. It sits right up against a hill all along the back end that is mostly dirt. The wind blows and it gets in the school in many ways, like dust buildup. It literally could be in the air, or the water supply, or the mold. Digging up that area could have even spread a lot of that dirt or exposed another layer of toxins through subsequent erosion.

Ah that makes more sense, thanks!
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