Are School Children Safe?
Article Added January 9th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
It has recently been reported that the the Wellesley Middle School has been doing an asbestos abatement during the recent renovations of its school ground. School officials are communicating with children's parents on the process so as to assure them that the asbestos will not pose a danger to their children. John D'Auria, principle of the school, sends out emails to parents each time a new part of the school begins the demolition phase in which asbestos is to be abated. Notwithstanding, parents are still concerned about what they consider to be a lack of adequate notice about the health risks to their children. However, the school has assured each parent that the abatement is being conducted in a safe and legal manner. In addition, tests for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, mold spores, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds are being completed as part of the "preconstruction" of the new facility.
In an abatement procedure, workers will typically seal off the areas that are exposed to the asbestos particles which include any of the areas where abatement or construction personell are working. Additionally, the workers create what is called a vapor barrier so as to stop any dust from becoming airborne and escaping the construction site. There are, in addition, regular checks on the the standards of the abatement. As a further precaution, the contractor hired an independent hygienist to monitor the air quality within the school during and after the initial and continuing abatement, both within and outside the demolition areas. This independent hygienist is always on site when the work is occurring and any if there were ever any breach, Mr. D'Auria indicated that he would hear about it.
While the abatement was taking place during the school year, the abatement only took place after hours starting at 4PM and at times when the children were off for their vacation breaks. Principle D'Auria expressed his confidence that every precaution was being taken in order to ensure the safety of the children. Mr. D'Auria further stated that if any parents became concerned that their children were having problems with the air quality, that they could always contact the construction office or the school nurses directly.
Article Added January 9th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
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