Cancer-Causing Asbestos Discovered During School Renovations

Asbestos has been uncovered at several Lewiston-Porter district schools in the Niagara Valley region of New York State. These unexpected asbestos discoveries have slowed down the district’s $28 million capital project. However, workers have been working diligently, and it is expected that the scheduled date for completion later this month is still a reasonable goal. Asbestos must be removed before renovations or demolition under the law, as exposure to asbestos fibers may cause lung cancer, asbestosis, or mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive cancer, can kill within months and has no known cure.

Andy Schuler of Cannon Design gave a progress update during last Tuesday’s Lewiston-Porter Board of Education meeting. All major renovations are done, but touch-ups, cleaning, and various upgrades are still not completed. “We’re on target for substantial completion of all work by August 30,” Schuler reported.

The unforeseen costs and time that were dedicated to asbestos abatement earlier this month were problematic, he admitted, saying only that “It slowed us down,” but choosing not to reveal the costs of the asbestos abatement until the school board meeting next month. Now, the asbestos abatement work has been completed. The asbestos was uncovered within the walls inside the Intermediate School main office, under sinks and cabinets at the primary school and numerous locations inside the high school.

On Tuesday, the board also approved a list of other change orders that totaled $104,566. This included the costs for completing work such as painting and the installation of lighting. Schuler told the board the project has only used up $200,000 of the $560,000 contingency budget set up for change orders.