Fruit Ridge Elementary students in Sacramento California have been moved from their own school to Bear Flag Elementary School after the discovery of asbestos materials in their facility. While workers were installing wireless technology in the schools attic they found vermiculite insulation, known to contain toxic asbestos. Work halted and students, faculty and staff were relocated until the safety of Fruit Ridge Elementary could be confirmed.
Much of the nations vermiculite came from a large mine in Montana, which was unfortunately laced with asbestos deposits. This contaminated material was used in insulation and installed throughout the country. Although asbestos is relatively safe if contained in a stable material, insulation does offer adequate potential for the fibers to become airborne.
Tests were taken through the school to find if the ventilation system had been spreading harmful dust. So far, all air tests have come back negative for asbestos. However, the insulation tested positive for the toxic chemical, results ranging between 0.067% and 0.17%.
Asbestos is known to cause rare cancer mesothelioma, as well as other fatal respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma is characterized by a long latency period, often between twenty and fifty years, which is why it is so important to test for asbestos exposure when it is first a possibility. Mesothelioma patients average a life expectancy of eighteen months following diagnosis. Although mesothelioma treatments exist, there is no known cure.
Fruit Ridge Elementary School will be removed of all asbestos material and will be professionally cleaned to ensure asbestos dust and fibers have been removed. Meanwhile students, staff and faculty hope to return to their own facility before the end of the school year.
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