Ohio parents who send their children to school not only expect that they will be provided with a good education, but that they will also be in a safe and protected environment. Some out-of-state parents got a rude awakening when, last school year, asbestos was found lurking in three different schools. Many families are now worried about the lasting aftermath of asbestos exposure, especially in the youngest and most vulnerable student.
One of the elementary schools involved shuttered their doors in fall 2014 when asbestos was discovered. The students were scattered around to other schools while the extensive, $5 million clean-up project began. The renovation did more than just clear out the asbestos; it also removed dangerous mold as well as lead paint that had coated the walls since as far back as the 1950s.
The school reopened at the beginning of Sept. 2015, featuring modernized classrooms that were updated during the cleaning process. While the school board has assured parents that the building is now safe for students, concerns still linger. One grandmother expressed worry about what health problems the students might develop 20 years down the line.
No matter a person’s age, asbestos exposure is a serious concern for future health and medical concerns. Since the full effects of asbestos inhalation often take years or even decades to manifest, there is often a serious amount of concern and worry for those who know that they have been wrongfully exposed to the deadly toxin. If ill health effects such as mesothelioma or lung cancer do eventually develop, it is possible for victims in Ohio to successfully achieve compensation for the monetary damages that they sustained as a result of the devastating exposure.
Source: NBC Los Angeles, “OC Elementary School Reopens Year After Asbestos Scare“, Toni Guinyard, Sept. 9, 2015
