Parents Raise Concerns over Asbestos Removal at School
Due to the outcry of parents, another school, Leonia in Northern New Jersey, has decided to postpone any construction that would involve the removal of asbestos until school is dismissed for the summer. Parents expressed concern over the health of their children, not wanting them to be at any risk of later developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos related diseases.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was once used in thousands of construction products until the mid-1980’s, when its use became highly regulated by environmental and government regulations. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and the primary cause of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a malignancy that begins in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. It is a painful and incurable cancer that does not show symptoms until decades after exposure.
Because of this long latency period, students could be exposed to asbestos today and yet not develop mesothelioma until ten to forty years later. Parents at various schools are stepping in to stop any construction work that has the potential to put students at risk.
Last week, we wrote about asbestos abatement work being delayed at Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin due to parents expressing concerns. Another school, Anna C. Scott School in North Jersey, is now following the same action after many angry protests from parents. Superintendent Bernard Josefsberg made the decision to postpone work despite the increased costs that would be incurred by waiting to start until summer.
At both schools, the parents and community were assured that there was and would be no risk, as both were being managed by environmental consulting groups and all precautions were going to be taken. Despite this, school officials in both sites made the choice to delay construction to prevent discord and disruption in their school communities.
