'Miscommunication' With Contractor Means Some Asbestos Left in FL School Displacing Students

Some Tice Elementary School students will remain displaced in temporary classrooms as the school continues to remove left over asbestos. School officials reveal that a 'miscommunication' with the contractor performing extensive renovations and updates at the Lee County, Florida elementary school meant that some of the asbestos slated for removal was left. Now, Tice Elementary School officials are asking for an additional $350,000 to finance the remaining asbestos abatement work. It is unclear what the 'miscommunication' was or how it lead to asbestos remaining in Tice Elementary School, though school officials are confident that the left over asbestos will be safely removed. In accordance to the school district regulations, every school property is inspected by asbestos abatement contractors for asbestos every three years. Students in the second grade through fifth grade are housed in temporary classrooms as the asbestos abatement work continues. However, students in the lower grades have already returned to the newly updated and renovated classroom spaces. After the school-wide renovations are complete, classrooms will be equipped with smart boards and computers. Though the extensive renovations are burdensome for students and faculty, many parents are happy that the historic building is getting a much-needed facelift. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral used primarily in building supplies and materials. During the manufacturing process, asbestos is often combined with other materials to increase the products' strength, durability and flame resistance. Though asbestos has been banned from use in the United States for years, products containing asbestos can be found in buildings constructed during the twentieth century. Classified as a carcinogen – or a cancer-causing agent – exposure to asbestos can lead to several serious medical conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer. Since asbestos is highly toxic, professional asbestos abatement contractors are recommended to handle the safe removal of asbestos from any building. Mishandling asbestos can cause the material to break a part, releasing toxic particles into the air. Breathing in contaminated air can become deadly.

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