Asbestos Keeps NY School Closed

Article Added November 13th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

School officials think they may have to schedule two more days of school for students in the Ballston Spa district. The discovery of asbestos has kept the school closed longer than expected.

Two Ballston Spa district schools were kept closed this week after the discovery of asbestos in the buildings. The students of the affected schools were consolidated into a smaller space, and school started a week late in September. As a result, the day before Thanksgiving and one day out of Spring Break will be used as make up days, with three more days being scheduled later in the school year. The asbestos was found in the roofs of the buildings when leaky drains were being inspected.

Air test confirmed there was no immediate danger due to the asbestos, although the potentially deadly material will need to be removed before the drains can be worked on. Removing the asbestos can be a cause for concern, since it is the airborne fibers of asbestos that can be deadly. When breathed in, asbestos particles can cause respiratory diseases, including emphysema and a form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, or the dying of lung tissue due to asbestos fibers, can take years to develop and is often times untreatable at the time of detection.

Article Added November 13th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story