Debate over toxic chemicals at Malibu schools heads to court

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) -- The debate over toxic chemicals found at Malibu schools headed to court on Tuesday.

A citizen suit against the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is asking the federal court to order the school district to remove toxic and illegal chemicals known as PCBs from schools.

A group of concerned parents, including supermodel Cindy Crawford, teachers and community members filed the citizen suit.

"When my wife and I learned that our son spent the better part of a school year in a classroom that had nearly 7,000 times the level of PCB that the EPA considers a healthy level, we pulled him immediately," said parent and "Scandal" actor Josh Malina.

Crawford said she is homeschooling her children because of the danger.

"If there's any question that PCBs can harm our kids or teachers, just remove them. I feel like that should have been the first approach," Crawford said.

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The judge will hear from two members of the school board.

The district argues that classrooms are safe for students and teachers. In a statement, the district said "As a regulated government body bound to follow the direction of the lead federal agency and established science, the school district shall continue to act in the best interest of its staff, students and teachers."