Mesothelioma a Risk While Asbestos Delays Construction Projects at Colorado High School

Unexpected project requirements at Middle Park High School in Granby, Colorado have delayed the completion of the school’s $9.8 million dollar construction plan. According to the school, new findings of asbestos contamination have been the biggest challenge thus far.

Thousands of schools in America were built using asbestos-containing construction materials, and due to the effects the substance can have on the body, asbestos is a serious health hazard. Evidence has proven that inhaling small asbestos fibers can lead to a variety of health issues, including a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma.

Many schools that contain asbestos end up spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on asbestos containment and removal. Such steps are the only way to ensure complete safety of the students and staff on campus.

During the early phases of the Middle Park High School project, the school’s contractor identified several locations where asbestos was expected to be present, but was surprised to find asbestos in unexpected locations as well.

Todd Dangerfield, project manager for abatement contractor Neenan Co., says large amounts of asbestos-containing vinyl floor tiles were discovered, and would need to be removed before construction began. Contractors performing the work have found the abatement process challenging and time-consuming. In addition, the newly discovered asbestos has increased the budget and extended the completion date of the entire project.

Nancy Karas, East Grand School District superintendent, says all the asbestos has been removed, and that construction didn’t begin until all the asbestos was cleared from the site. She also mentioned that all necessary precautions were taken to ensure the students were never at risk during the construction phase.

According to Todd Dangerfield, encapsulating the area where asbestos abatement was being performed was the main factor in postponing the desired completion date. Such a step requires absolute perfection to prevent airborne asbestos fibers from escaping the abatement area.

Some experts say the inhalation of even a few fibers is enough to result in the development of malignant mesothelioma, making it crucial that asbestos be kept isolated from the rest of the school buildings.

Construction is now proceeding with the completion of asbestos abatement. By the time school opens, district officials are sure that the risk of asbestos exposure will not be a concern.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 9:27 am and is filed under Asbestos Exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.