Asbestos Found in School
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- Created on Wednesday, 02 November 2011 14:24
Just recently, in the village of Carpentersville (a small suburb north of Chicago), asbestos was found in several classrooms at Sunny Hill Elementary School (District #220). Some renovations were being performed in the school when a foreman discovered what he thought was asbestos, specifically while replacing white boards with SMART Boards. Tests were performed and the foreman's suspicions were confirmed.
Although Carpentersville has been around for a long time, it wasn't until the 1950s that the village experienced a relative boom in growth. Subsequently a lot of asbestos was used in the construction of a lot of commercial buildings, schools, etc. Asbestos, before it was determined to be devastating when inhaled, made sense as a building material. It is flame retardant, reduces noise effectively, it's a low transistor of electricity, and it is cheap and effective as insulation.
Fortunately, in this situation, all of the glue-based asbestos appears to have been contained. The administrators of District #220 continue to monitor for airborne particulates and claims that conditions remain safe. And this renovation should be completed in a few days.
As seen with this example in Carpentersville, the effects of asbestos are still having an impact on society 60+ years later. Asbestos, while once considered a cheap material, is now one of the most expensive. The cost today; however, shows itself in the massive costs of containment and proper removal of the material; as well as the devastating cost on human life, through diseases such as mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses. So while manufacturers may have saved a few bucks years ago, society continues to pay a hefty fee today. Perhaps the most disturbing fact about asbestos is that it kept being used for years after many manufacturers and employers knew of the dangers. They simply kept quiet, allowed their employees to work in unsafe conditions, and lined their pockets.
This negligence needs to be addressed. The passage of time does not excuse their liability. If you know anyone that is suffering or may have recently passed away from asbestos exposure, please contact a qualified mesothelioma lawyer. There are many funds specifically setup to pay out to the victims of mesothelioma; they just need to contact the right attorney who can maximize their settlement. Cates Law has a proven track record of doing this for their clients and can help you too. They will even provide you with a free consultation and explain all of your options, at no cost.
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