March 30th, 2008

A Connecticut high school was dismissed early this week after workers busted through a wall containing asbestos. The school was expected to reopen shortly after air test samples showed no danger.

Workers renovating a Connecticut high school caused an emergency dismissal this week after they opened a wall and pulled out asbestos material. School officials immediately sent students home, even though the accident occurred in an isolated hallway. After the last student left the building, an environmental consultant was brought into the school to conduct air sample testing. The results showed only a small level of asbestos, much less then the amount considered a health issue. The area was sealed off and school is expected to resume normally.

The school followed safety procedures in case there was a chance of exposure to people in the building. Exposure to disturbed asbestos can lead to respiratory diseases including emphysema and mesothelioma, making even brief exposure a health concern. Most asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, result from breathing in airborne particles that occur when asbestos is improperly handled or removed. The workers recognized the asbestos early on, and dismissing students kept the chance of exposure to a minimum.