Asbestos materials still found in US schools, asbestos removal often costly for school districts

Before tile flooring may be replaced, asbestos abatement at several Ames schools will need to be removed.

Ames Community School District’s director of facilities planning and management, Gerry Peters, is coordinating 150 renovation projects this summer–and wants Ames, Iowa residents to know that despite the common belief, he doesn’t get a summer vacation.

“People don’t understand that summer’s the only time we can get some of our biggest projects done…We spend one-third to one-half of our $3 million budget in two months,” said Peters.

Peters plans to complete the 150 projects between June 15 and August 12. The projects, however, aren’t easy. The most difficult process will be asbestos abatement. Asbestos must be removed from floor tile at several schools across the district.

Before the tile flooring is replaced, the abatement must occur–for when asbestos is disturbed, without first being properly removed the toxic particles may become airborne. Once made airborne, the particles may be inhaled by anyone who comes within the vicinity of the removed material. Diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma are known to arise from such exposure.

Mesothelioma treatment efforts do little for patients who are diagnosed with the disease, decades after exposure. Because of this, patients are faced with a short life expectancy period.

Ceilings are also being replaced at Sawyer Elementary School, and new fire alarms are being installed at Meeker Elementary School and the high school.

“And that doesn’t include the regular deep cleaning and maintenance we do in every room, in every school over the summer,” Peters said.

Clearly for Ames School District, the summer work is hardly over.