Oregon Educators Exposed to Asbestos

Article Added November 30th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

Employees of the Willamette Education Service District were exposed to asbestos last summer for a period of a month or more. Though no students were in danger, employees are concerned about long-term effects.

Employees of the special education program in the Willamette Education Service District are concerned about asbestos exposure. It was found that one of the buildings rented for the program was undergoing renovations at the time of occupancy. Though students were moved in the spring due to other problems in the building, employees were still housed there while flooring was being ripped up. It was known that the flooring contained asbestos prior to renovations being started.

The contracting company that conducted the work did not take proper safety measures during the removal and storing of the asbestos, putting all the employees present in danger. After one employee raised the concern of asbestos exposure, the ventilation system was shut down, and the employees were relocated. Even minimal asbestos exposure, like the month experienced by the WESD workers, can lead to numerous health problems, most notably emphysema and a form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma. No workers show symptoms at this time; mesothelioma can take years to manifest, causing elevated concern for the employees.

Article Added November 30th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story