Asbestos in Schools, Hospitals Puts Children and Doctors at Risk

When Heather Karras learned the Alabama elementary school her children attend contains asbestos, she pulled them out — and asked for answers. Delayed responses from Bay Minette Elementary School officials raised fears the deteriorating 1920s-era school possibly was placing children, teachers and anyone else who visits the building at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos causes mesothelioma, an often terminal cancer that affects nearly 3,000 people annually in the U.S. “What did I do?” Karras told Asbestos.com. “I thought we moved here to have a better life at this old hometown school. I made the worst decision as a parent.” School officials this week said air testing results showed no imminent danger of asbestos exposure. However, they are sealing undisturbed asbestos found in the library. Despite those actions, a federal report also shows the school failed to follow EPA guidelines. The incident at Bay Minette Elementary represents a much broader problem plaguing many old and deteriorating public buildings, including schools, hospitals and police stations, across the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Canada and other countries where asbestos was commonly used in the construction industry. Asbestos at Bay Minette Elementary and Other U.S. Schools Although air testing showed no threat of exposure at the school, Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Robbie Owen said officials have closed the school's library until an area containing asbestos is permanently sealed. Dist...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Asbestos Exposure & Bans Source Type: news