Circleville School to reopen after asbestos removal
Crews removed asbestos dirt from Everts Middle School. Circleville school officials are planning to reopen the school on Monday.
Asbestos-laced dirt was blown from air ducts while workers were installing a new heating and ventilation system in the school.
Superintendent Sam Lucas yesterday said in a statement that there was no no evidence of airborne asbestos particles found in testing though asbestos was found in the dirt.
Asbestos can cause severe health hazards such as lung cancer, asbestosis, if it’s particles are inhaled. However, asbestos is not hazardous unless it’s airborne.
The district is testing the dirt and air quality which is why the reopening of the school was postponed to Monday.
Lucas said that the state, county and city health and environmental-safety workers monitored the cleanup
“The district is planning to put more air filters in ducts leading to rooms. Building’s air quality will be checked every month for the rest of the school year,” he said.
The Everts school has 562 students and 58 employees. It was due to reopen Jan 3 after the holiday break. The students will need to make up at least three days by the end of the school year.
Asbestos was a common building material until 1980’s which was used in wall and ceiling panels, insulation and lagging. Everts Middle School building is 92 years old. There are still significant numbers of older buildings which were constructed when hazards of asbestos were not fully known.
Tags: Asbestos, Mesothelioma, School