Report Identifies Potential Toxins in Local Schools

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- An eight-month long investigation by First Coast News partner USA Today indicates several area schools could be in areas contaminated by years of toxic emissions from local manufacturing plants.

Tommy Williams' four-year-old son, Tavares, goes to Biltmore Elementary, smack in the middle of USA Today's Red Zone. Today the school handed out flyers to direct parents to the EPA website for more information.

"I will be getting into this here," said Williams.

"As a matter of fact I'm online now at home so I going to go and check it out!"

Biltmore is one of five schools considered to be in the top 1% of schools nationwide for exposure to hazardous materials floating in the breezes over years from nearby factories.

The Jacksonville schools in the red zone are all located near Lane and Edgewood Avenues north of Interstate 10. They include:
Paxon School for Advance Studies
Biltmore Elementary School
Paxon Middle School
The Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center
And Reynolds Lane Elementary

The Duval County School District was surprised by the USA Today report, and says it definitely needs a closer look -- including the possibility of more testing in the area to determine exactly what threats to student health, if any, exist.

"We are taking a look at it. We are talking with the City of Jacksonville and the EPA to determine what, if any, actions may need to be taken at any of our schools that were listed" said DCPS Spokesperson Jill Johnson.

Among the companies listed in the USA-Today article:
Johns Manville
Metal Container Corp
The St Johns River Northside Power Park
Adcom Wire
Reichhold Incorporated
Firestone Building Products

Firestone officials told First Coast News from their corporate offices that they installed an emission scrubber in 2000 that allow only 2% of toxic materials to escape into the atmosphere.

Reichhold Incorporated also says they are in 100% compliance with all Federal Emission regulations.

Johns Manville Corporate office wrote: "At this time, we must tell you that Johns Manville had not had the opportunity to review the data from the USA Today article or the science behind it. We will do this as quickly as possible, assuming USA Today will share detail with us. We'll get back with you once we've had this opportunity. I can tell you that Johns Manville is committed to ensuring all of our facilities operate in compliance with applicable requirements."