New York City will speed up removal of problematic school lighting fixtures

New York City has agreed to accelerate removal of potentially dangerous light fixtures from its public school buildings. The New York Times reports that city officials have agreed to complete replacement of the problematic fluorescent fixtures by 2016. Up until now, the city's deadline had been 2021. Older fluorescent lighting fixtures in hundreds of school facilities may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which could cause serious health problems to those exposed to the chemicals. The accelerated schedule is what was sought by a group of parents who sued the city to force a speedier timetable. The city argued to get the suit thrown out, but a judge rejected those efforts, accusing the city of foot-dragging and putting forth spurious arguments.