A comprehensive study into excess cancer risk concerns at the Jim Thorpe Area School District’s Penn Kidder Campus concluded that while no immediate dangers were found, diesel exhaust emissions pose a potential long-term health risk if unaddressed.

The final report, released by environmental firm Mountain Environmental Services revealed that an initial review by Dr. Joseph A. Cocciardi, the head of the study team, did not identify any “immediately dangerous to life or health” conditions.

However, subsequent air quality testing conducted in November and December 2023 identified concerning levels of diesel exhaust entering the school building. “Emissions from the heating plant were identified as entering the school,” the report states.

The report detailed how excess cancer risk is measured.

“ECR are expressed in terms of a population,” according to the report. “An ECR of 1 in a million shows no appreciable risk, while an ECR of 1 in 10,000 or greater is generally considered a risk by health organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

A “diesel odor was noted in classroom 107 and room 206 during the investigation.”

Air samples from these rooms, the report states, revealed the presence of benzene, a known byproduct of diesel fuel combustion.

While the report emphasized that the current estimated exposure falls within the “yellow range” of between 250 and 500 hours and translates to a calculated excess cancer risk of two in a million, which falls outside the generally accepted risk zone, it highlights the potential for future risk if left unaddressed.

“A recommendation was made to the district to raise chimney height at Penn Kidder to stop any additional exposures and preclude this exposure from moving forward in the caution area,” the report states.

The school board in February approved a proposal from Houck and Company to raise boiler chimney height at Penn Kidder at a cost of $31,924.

“The recommendation was to raise the height to 38.64 feet,” Superintendent Robert Presley said, “but we’re actually going to go a little higher to 40 feet to make sure we go above the roof line. The wheels are already in motion for all of the recommendations that came out of this.”

Presley said while diesel exhaust emerged as the primary concern, the report can assure the community that other environmental factors were thoroughly investigated.

“Exposure concerns from mold, radon, asbestos containing materials, emissions from building materials and constituents of drinking water were not a concern,” the report states.

Water samples collected did not reveal any immediate environmental hazards, according to the report, but low levels of trihalomethanes were detected.

“These compounds are indicative of recently treated chlorinated water, suggesting the sample point’s proximity to the chlorine injection site,” the report states.

Manganese was also found at a level exceeding its secondary maximum contaminant level but, according to the report, “this concentration does not pose a health risk.”

The report outlined recommendations beyond addressing the diesel exhaust issue. “A recommendation was made to repeat Radon sampling in one room this winter and two other rooms in the next five years,” it states.

The study was initiated in response to concerns raised by staff members about a cluster of cancer cases within the school district.

“The district engaged health personnel to review cancer concerns at the Penn Kidder Campus, and any similar concerns posed in other district buildings and grounds,” according to the report.

The full report, including detailed information on sampling locations, results, and exposure analysis, has been provided to the district and is available for public review.