Mesothelioma Alert: School to reopen in NY following mesothelioma asbestos scare

After an asbestos scare rocked Mount Vernon High School in Westchester County, New York, officials say that the school is now safe for students and staff. Teachers and other staff returned to work today, and students are set to return tomorrow. Engineers say the building is structurally sound, and air quality tests show that asbestos is not present.

Asbestos exposure has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and remains tragically incurable. Sadly, the cancer usually kills within two years following diagnosis.

Classes were canceled last Monday after a 100-foot section of wall in the auditorium collapsed, sparking fears of possible asbestos release in the school. Desiree Grand, a spokeswoman for the Mount Vernon City School District, told reporters: “That entire area has been sealed off to undergo more testing.”

But even though asbestos was not present at detectable levels, many students and parents are leery about the risks of returning to school. Student Felipe Marcelino was in the auditorium an hour before it collapsed. "And if I had been there what would they be saying to my mom today? Would they be apologizing for my death or would they be making up some excuse?"

"I have to get the kids back in school and I would not bring kids back to a school that I felt was unsafe," said Dr. Welton Sawyer, school superintendent.