NYC lawsuit seeks faster action on PCBs in schools

Activists have filed a lawsuit demanding that New York City move faster to remove lighting fixtures tainted with the toxic chemicals known as PCBs from hundreds of public schools.

City officials announced a 10-year plan in February to replace the aging fluorescent lights. The lighting fixtures can leak PCBs over time.

The federal lawsuit was filed Wednesday by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest on behalf of a parents' group.

Miranda Massie, a lawyer with the group, told The Wall Street Journal that the work could be done in about two years.

Department of Education spokeswoman Natalie Ravitz said the 10-year plan is responsible and will cause minimum disruption.

PCBs are suspected of causing cancer and other diseases.