December 14th, 2007

As summer comes around, students may be out of school but work taking place there is far from over. Schools in one West Virginia county will be undergoing massive asbestos projects while students are out of session.

This summer, while students are enjoying the break, schools in Washington County, West Virginia will still be hard at work. Taking advantage of the lack of students, the school board for the county decided to complete asbestos removal from some of the school buildings. About 30 schools will receive about $6 million worth of asbestos abatement, racing against the clock to make the school operational by August 22, the first day of the next school year.

Schools containing asbestos have a hard decision when it comes to removing the dangerous substance. Hired licensed professionals can assure that the work is safe, even while students are still attending classes, although many parents still do not approve. Asbestos can break apart when it is removed, becoming airborne where it can be breathed in. Asbestos exposure has been linked to asbestosis, emphysema and mesothelioma, a type of aggressive lung cancer. By removing the substance when students are out of school, any concerns for safety can be bypassed.