PFAS Detected In Dry-Erase Board Coatings And Classroom Cleaner Rinsate

Water Contamination Lawsuit News

Routine classroom cleaning may be flushing PFAS from dry-erase board coatings into school wastewater systems during daily maintenance

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - Dry-erase boards are everywhere in modern classrooms, replacing chalkboards decades ago and becoming a daily teaching tool for millions of students. To make them easy to wipe clean and resistant to ghosting or stains, many boards are manufactured with specialized surface coatings designed to repel ink and moisture. Testing now suggests that some of these coatings rely on fluorinated compounds to achieve that slick finish. Each time teachers spray board cleaner or custodial staff scrub classrooms at the end of the day, tiny amounts of PFAS can wash off the board surface and flow into sinks, mop buckets, and floor drains. Unlike one-time spills, this release happens repeatedly throughout the school year. In large school districts with thousands of classrooms, the volume of rinse water adds up quickly. Environmental advocates note that water contamination lawyers are increasingly examining schools as overlooked contributors to wastewater pollution, while leading attorneys for water cancer lawsuits emphasize that children spend long hours in these environments where chemical shedding may occur unnoticed.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are commonly used in coatings that must resist water, staining, and repeated abrasion. Dry-erase board surfaces fit that description precisely, especially in high-use classrooms where boards are wiped dozens of times per day. Over time, friction from erasers, paper towels, and cleaning pads can wear down protective layers and release microscopic particles into cleaning solutions. When that rinse water is dumped into drains, PFAS moves through plumbing into wastewater treatment plants that are not designed to remove fluorinated chemicals. Studies examining indoor sources of PFAS have found that cleaning activities can play a major role in mobilizing contaminants from surfaces into water systems. Schools often clean classrooms more aggressively than homes, using stronger cleaners and more frequent wash cycles, which may accelerate this process. As water utilities work to meet stricter safety thresholds, they are paying closer attention to non-industrial contributors such as educational facilities that generate consistent, predictable wastewater flows.

The issue has prompted new conversations about how classroom materials are selected and maintained. Many school administrators assume that dry-erase boards and their cleaners are harmless because they are so common and widely marketed as safe for indoor use. However, safety for classroom air does not always translate to safety for downstream water systems. Alternatives already exist, including PFAS-free board coatings and reusable boards made from glass or porcelain that rely on different surface properties. Switching to milder cleaners and microfiber cloths can also reduce surface abrasion and chemical shedding. Some districts are beginning to review procurement policies to better understand the chemical composition of classroom fixtures before purchasing in bulk. In summary, dry-erase boards may represent a small but steady source of PFAS entering school wastewater systems. Addressing this pathway offers schools an opportunity to protect local water quality while maintaining clean, functional learning spaces for students and teachers alike.

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