Burst pipe causes asbestos problem for New Jersey school
Glenfield School in Montclair, New Jersey closed off part of the boys’ locker room in early January after a pipe burst and damaged some asbestos floor tiles. The area was secured and made off-limit to students without affecting classes. School remained open and on the regular schedule. The only difference for students at the visual and performing arts magnet school was that boys could not change for physical education or dance classes.
The heating pipe had burst over winter break while staff and students were on vacation. Water damage had compromised some of the floor tiles that contained asbestos, and the area was closed off as a precaution until the results of air quality tests came back and the damaged tiles could be removed.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of the toxic substance asbestos in 1989, but it was commonly used in building materials for many years before that and can still be legally used in many traditional applications. When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or otherwise disturbed, asbestos fibers can become airborne. Inhaling asbestos fibers can result in a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma, or many other serious illnesses. Asbestos remediation is federally regulated in order to protect the health of workers and the public. The school will perform additional air quality tests once the cleanup is complete before the area is reopened for student use.
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