Students at Kennedy High School in Richmond returned to class Tuesday after testing found the campus was safe to reopen following the discovery of a potentially toxic chemical beneath the school. Students and parents told NBC Bay Area that their worries about a potentially toxic chemical on campu s were alleviated enough that they felt safe to show up to campus. The principal said he was not aware of any students who were staying home for the first day of class as a result of the original test results. The West Contra Costa Unified School District announced during a town hall last week that new indoor air testing showed most of the campus is safe. During summer break, tests detected tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE, in the soil beneath the school. PCE is a man-made chemical linked to an increased risk of cancer with long-term exposure. While indoor air tests indicated most of the campus is safe, two areas — the kitchen and welding shop — will remain closed after detectable traces of PCE were found. The district plans to use mobile kitchens and food trucks in the meantime. Richmond Aug 13 Test shows Richmond school is safe to reopen after discovery of toxic chemicals Richmond Aug 11 Richmond's Kennedy High awaits test results ahead of first day of school Richmond Aug 13 Kennedy High families await soil test results ahead of first day of school “This has been a cross agency effort,” Kennedy High School principal David Luongo said. ” … The scientists have really helped support our decision making. We feel really confident.” Parent Jose Vega is certain the district wouldn’t have opened the school’s doors if it wasn’t safe. “If it’s not safe for students or people working, I don’t think they’d reopen, right?” Vega asked. The source of the PCE remains unclear. The district said the chemical is not tied to renovation and construction work at the school. Officials instead believe it could be linked to consumer products used in or associated with the kitchen and welding shop. The district said it will continue to monitor and test for PCE. ...read more read less