Pennsylvania school renovations uncover asbestos surprise, but classes will start on time
Mars Area High School in Pennsylvania is starting the school year on time despite setbacks in summer renovations. The rainy weather over the summer meant that the roof will not be completed when classes start, but roof work will be finished up on Saturdays, with workers on double shifts.
When a wall was being demolished to make room for new lockers, asbestos was discovered wrapped around the pipes. The change order to have the asbestos removed properly cost $40,700. The superintendent stated that they may still discover asbestos in more areas as they are uncovered, but that no asbestos abatement will occur while students are using the building. Instead, asbestos removal will take place during school breaks; the contractor has already been put on notice for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
It is not uncommon to find asbestos in the building materials of older schools, as the toxic mineral was commonly used as a wide variety of building materials before 1980, and in a handful of products even today. The high school is 49 years old and undergoing $12.5 million in renovation work.
For the full story, go to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
