Students at Middle Park High School in Granby, Colorado were braced for a return to the books on September 2 this year, but thanks to an unexpectedly large asbestos abatement program at the school over the summer, the kids have a reprieve until September 8. Before starting the school’s remodeling, the school’s general contractor, Neenan Co., thought it had identified all the areas contaminated with asbestos. But once the workers got started, they were surprised by a good deal of asbestos-containing vinyl composition floor tile and discovered that a large area of the commons would have to be abated. The school district had always intended to remove the asbestos, but didn’t appreciate just how much was there.
The contractor stressed that safe and careful abatement is critical. Asbestos is hazardous when it is removed or disturbed because it can become airborne. When asbestos is inhaled and lodged in the lungs, it can cause asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma that once appear until decades later. The school’s contractor completely encapsulated the areas that were contaminated with asbestos and kept other workers out of the area while the abatement was ongoing. Now, says Nancy Karas, the superintendent of the East Grand School District, all the asbestos has been removed, and the students can safely return – just a few days later than planned.
For the full story, go to Sky-Hi Daily News.
