Overview
- The West Contra Costa Unified School District barred entry to Kennedy High on Monday after preliminary vapor tests showed tetrachloroethylene, also called PCE, under the campus.
- District officials said the Department of Toxic Substances Control shared the initial results on Friday and that the closure is a precaution while further testing proceeds.
- DTSC has told the district it sees no immediate health danger based on preliminary data but stressed that more testing is required to verify the site is safe.
- The district is coordinating with DTSC, the California Department of Education and the City of Richmond to plan mitigation and temporary relocation, but where students will start the year has not been finalized.
- PCE is a dry‑cleaning and degreasing solvent linked to nervous system, liver, kidney and reproductive harm and higher cancer risk, so confirmatory tests, a site assessment and possible cleanup are standard next steps and could affect school logistics and timing.