East Brunswick, New Jersey – A week-long project to remove asbestos from Hammarskjöld Middle School in East Brunswick, New Jersey is under way. The project is being carried out during the school’s spring break to reduce the possibility of exposure hazards for students and staff.

School district spokeswoman Patricia LaDuca has said that no work was or will be carried out while school is in session, and there will be no safety hazards for children or staff when they return after the spring break.

La Duca said, “The contractors are certified and experienced in this type of work, and licensed professionals will oversee the removal and monitor and test air quality to ensure that the regulatory standards are met.” Parents were told of the planned asbestos removal project in a letter sent earlier in April.

Some district parents have expressed concern about the asbestos removal, but Patricia LaDuca says that “this process is highly regulated by federal, state and OSHA, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration, standards,” and there is no cause for alarm.

The wing in which asbestos is being removed is ultimately planned for demolition over the school’s summer vacation period. However, the asbestos must be removed before demolition can take place, as demolition projects can create and disperse large clouds of asbestos dust if the substance is not removed beforehand.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral that was widely used in industry, residential areas, and public buildings such as schools for much of the twentieth century. It is a light-weight yet durable substance with a very high resistance to fire and heat, making it an ideal insulator and fire-proofing material.

However, asbestos is also known to cause cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, as well as a chronic lung condition called asbestosis. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems.

In schools where asbestos is present there is usually no risk of exposure for students and staff. Risks are present only when the asbestos is disturbed, either accidentally or deliberately, as in the case of abatement projects.

In most cases the Environmental Protection Agency recommends leaving asbestos in place rather than disturbing it. Generally removal is recommended only if the asbestos has deteriorated to the point where fibers are likely to be released into the air. In addition, in the case of demolition projects, asbestos must be removed before demolition.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 4:47 pm and is filed under Asbestos Abatement, New Jersey. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.