February 2nd, 2008

Renovations that have been going on at a Massachusetts high school have been almost completely stopped after asbestos was found at the site. Though asbestos had been found earlier in the renovations, it was a different type of the material that was considered safe.

Work on a Massachusetts high school had to be almost completely halted after friable asbestos was found on the job. Contractors knew that there was asbestos on the site, and had been removing some of it since October. But the newly found asbestos is a much more dangerous type, and has been known to lead to respiratory diseases. The work being done to two of the main buildings was stopped until a plan and budget is approved for the safe removal of the substance.

Many types of asbestos can be found, with some of them posing little or no danger. But certain types of asbestos are more prone to breaking apart and the particles can then become airborne. Ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma, emphysema, asbestosis and other types of illnesses. Perhaps the most devastating of the asbestos-related diseases is mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer that happens when asbestos fibers are breathed into the lungs. The particles become stuck to the lungs, keeping the tissue from absorbing oxygen.