December 1st, 2007

A New Jersey elementary school remained closed last week after more asbestos was found in a classroom. Professionals were called in to see how extensive the problem was, and officials are trying to determine if students can finish the school year in the century-old building.

An elementary school in New Jersey was closed down once again after a piece of plaster from a classroom ceiling tested positive for asbestos. Renovations were to be done to the building when the school year ended this Friday, though those plans have also been put on hold. School officials were scrambling to figure out a way for the students to finish the school year, which ends this week, and are wondering what to do if the school built in 1912 remains closed in the fall.

The asbestos causes a health concern, especially since pieces of the building are falling apart. When asbestos is disturbed or starts to break down, the particles can be inhaled. Breathing in asbestos fibers can lead to respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma and emphysema. Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of lung cancer that results from asbestos particles becoming lodged in the lining of the lungs. Officials maintain that neither faculty nor students were exposed to the deadly material.