John F. Kennedy High School Cleared to Reopen After Toxic Vapor Test
John F. Kennedy High School in Richmond has cleared a toxic-vapor test, allowing it to reopen for the start of the school year. Previous soil testing had detected tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a carcinogenic dry-cleaning solvent, prompting concerns about air quality in…
San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, August 17, 2026 —
John F. Kennedy High School in Richmond is set to reopen for the upcoming school year after successfully passing a toxic vapor test. The clearance comes after earlier soil testing revealed the presence of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical identified as a carcinogenic dry-cleaning solvent. This discovery had raised concerns regarding the air quality within the school’s classrooms.
State officials have now confirmed that recent air sampling has been conducted, indicating that the school’s indoor air quality does not show significant levels of contamination. While minor detections of PCE were noted in the kitchen and welding shop areas, these were attributed by officials to common consumer products, rather than the underground plume discovered in the soil tests.
The presence of PCE in the soil had prompted the need for further investigation into potential vapor intrusion into the school buildings. Tetrachloroethylene is a volatile organic compound commonly used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing. Exposure to PCE has been linked to various health concerns, including potential carcinogenic effects.
With the successful completion of the vapor testing and the confirmation of acceptable air quality, students and staff can return to the campus for the start of the academic year. The timeline for when the soil testing was initially conducted was not provided. Further details regarding the specific methods used in the air sampling and the exact levels detected were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Steph Rodriguez on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.
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