Teacher paid for asbestos testing at Illinois school
Richwoods High School in Peoria, Illinois had to temporarily relocate classes in late March to determine whether or not there was any asbestos contamination. The school had undergone a $4 million renovation project, and the district’s testing of the building had turned up only trace amounts of asbestos.
But Dan Kerns, a teacher, paid to have some of the material tested himself when he noticed dust and powder accumulating around the new windows. Peoria Disposal Co. found that the total percentage of asbestos in the material sample was 5 percent, which represents considerable and dangerous levels of asbestos. The laboratory that performed those tests, however, is no longer accredited as a certified public health lab.
The school district decided to send out more samples for further testing from an accredited lab. A school official stated that they will try to remedy the situation regardless of the test results. Asbestos is a toxic substance that is commonly found in many older buildings. Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of a variety of serious illnesses like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
For the full story, go to Peoria Journal Star.
