Parents at PS 372, a special needs elementary school near Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal, are calling for Gov. Kathy Hochul's resignation, asserting that her administration has failed to adequately address toxic air quality at the school for more than two years. Recent air samples detected cancer-causing compounds like benzene and xylene seeping into the school's annex building, raising alarm among parents as the new school year approaches.
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has initiated a petition, gathering over 400 signatures, accusing New York State agencies under Hochul's leadership of failing to protect the school community from documented toxic threats. The petition states that if the governor cannot ensure the safety of the children, faculty, and staff, she is unfit to govern.
The New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health are responsible for the cleanup efforts at PS 372, which serves approximately 450 students. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican challenging Hochul for governor, criticized the situation, calling it "horrifying" that young children were allegedly exposed to toxins for an extended period while state agencies were inactive.
According to records, the DEC committed to addressing the contamination in March 2024 after air and soil sampling revealed elevated levels of toxic compounds. However, a sub-slab depressurization system, designed to remove harmful gases from beneath the building, was not installed by the DEC until a year later. Parents were informed this summer that toxin levels within the building reportedly remain above normal, despite assurances from Department of Education (DOE) and DEC officials that the environment is safe for occupancy.
In an August 12 letter to school administrators, DEC officials indicated plans to install heat recovery ventilators for enhanced filtration. However, a subsequent notice revealed these systems would not be operational by the start of the school year. An environmental consultant described these ventilators as inadequate for the situation, suggesting that removing the contaminated soil beneath the school and surrounding areas is the only true solution.
The Gowanus neighborhood has a history of environmental contamination due to decades of industrial activity. Public records indicate that the main building of PS 372 was the site of an unaddressed petroleum spill in June 2004. The DEC had previously recommended installing a vapor barrier to prevent toxic chemicals from entering the school, but this measure was never implemented.
While soil and air samples from both the annex and main buildings in 2024 revealed the presence of dangerous compounds, officials initially deemed only the annex levels to warrant intervention. Parents expressed frustration over the ongoing situation, particularly with the impending start of the school year. Many are concerned that their children, who rely on specialized educational services and an inclusive classroom model at PS 372, may not find comparable support at other schools.
A DOE spokesperson stated that the department is taking the issue seriously and collaborating with state partners to ensure a safe learning environment for the upcoming school year. Representatives for Governor Hochul did not immediately respond to requests for comment.