September 28th, 2007

School officials trying to renovate a high school auditorium were shocked when asbestos was found in the building. The entire school had undergone asbestos abatement nearly 20 years before. More asbestos surprises were to be seen.

Officials overseeing renovations on an Iowa high school were shocked when asbestos was found in the school’s auditorium. The entire school had undergone abatement, or licensed removal, of asbestos 20 years before. Renovations were put on hold, and the architect that was going to complete the renovations decided to release the contract. A new architect was contracted and conducted routine air samples. To everyone’s surprise, all six samples came back negative.

The testing and retesting is requires, since exposure to asbestos can lead to respiratory diseases including emphysema and mesothelioma. Students and faculty that continue to use a building with decaying asbestos pose a risk of inhaling asbestos fibers, which can become lodged in the lungs. Asbestos fibers that get stuck in the lungs can result in mesothelioma, which is a form of deadly lung cancer. The asbestos fibers keep the lung tissue from absorbing oxygen, which in effect suffocates the victim. After the air samples came back, renovations once again were underway.