Asbestos in Schools
In GALESBURG, IL, a report to the Galesburg School Board could call for the closure of the learning center wing of the high school. According to the report, tiles damaged by water in the building would result in closing the building if they fall. The fallen tiles would pose a hazard to anyone in the building by breaking and releasing asbestos fibers and dust into the air. This dust could lead to the development of asbestosis or mesothelioma in those exposed.
The 40,000 square feet of the wing could expose anyone in the lecture halls, classrooms or learning centers to the toxin should the tiles break. Past asbestos violations by the district have placed Galesburg on the watch list of the state health inspectors. One such incident was the discovery of an asbestos ceiling tile at Churchill Junior High School with a hole in it which appeared to be a recent cutting, but an investigation by the district showed that that was not the case and that the most recent work done in the area had been in 2000 or 2001.
Repair of the learning center tiles has been slated to be completed as a part of a long term project expected to be completed in two to three years, but due to the imminent danger, the learning center tiles replacement could be moved up. The total renovation of the district’s asbestos is estimated to cost $1.8 million.
Recommendations from the building committee are to replace the tiles immediately, without waiting for them to fall. At an upcoming meeting of the Galesburg School Board, members will discuss the matter and determine a course of action and time line for the project.
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