Philadelphia’s toxic schools

In 2018, a Philadelphia Inquirer investigation showed that lead paint, asbestos and mold were common fixtures in many of Philadelphia's school buildings.

Air Date: April 23, 2019

Jana Curtis and two of her children walk past one of many construction sites in their river ward neighborhood. Three-year-old Nolyn Pace, center, was poisoned by lead in the soil in their backyard. (Jessica Griffin/Philadelphia Media Network)

Last year, a Philadelphia Inquirer investigation revealed a shocking number of health hazards in Philadelphia public schools which included dangerously high levels of lead paint, asbestos, and mold. The investigation was a finalist in the 2019 Pulitzer Prizes and received several other prestigious awards. Journalists BARBARA LAKER and WENDY RUDERMAN join us to discuss their investigation and the updates have taken place since the story first broke along with DANIELLE FLOYD of the Philadelphia School District to share the district’s response.

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