Vandalism in Detroit’s abandoned schools creating asbestos dangers
When some Detroit schools were abandoned last summer without being secured, many parents were immediately concerned about their children’s personal records, which were left behind in the schools. Police working for the school district have arrested approximately 120 thieves caught in the empty schools since last summer. Vandals and thieves have torn through the buildings, tearing walls and ceilings apart and stripping out materials like copper wire and aluminum frame windows. School buildings have also been flooded.
There is concern that, given the age of many of the school buildings and the destruction that has already been done, asbestos has likely been released inside the school buildings and may have escaped through broken windows. And if asbestos contamination is an issue, the personal records, computers, and other items that remain in the schools cannot be retrieved until the asbestos has been cleaned out.
For the full story, go to the Detroit Free Press.
