West Virginia schools seeking funds for asbestos abatement

October 21, 2009

In West Virginia’s Morgan County, several schools are in need of funds for asbestos removal. The district is seeking $303,970 in Major Improvement Plan (MIP) funding from West Virginia School Building Authority for asbestos removal in county school facilities. The asbestos is found throughout the school district in various materials such as floor tiles, linoleum and mastic adhesive.

Asbestos removal is requested for the Paw Paw High School stage, stairs, classrooms and hallways. At Paw Paw Elementary, asbestos is present in the nurse’s station, storage room, vault room, lounge, bathroom and custodian room. At Pleasant View Elementary, asbestos needs to be removed from a vestibule, and at Berkeley Springs High School it is present in a classroom.

Other requested asbestos removal areas include Greenwood Elementary hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, kitchen and restrooms and Widmyer Elementary closets, office, classroom and restrooms. This massive undertaking is part of the district’s plan to aggressively tackle the remaining asbestos in one fell swoop.

Asbestos exposure has been scientifically linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Patients who develop mesothelioma often live asymptomatic for decades before developing symptoms. The majority of patients succumb to the cancer in less than 24 months after being diagnosed.

The total estimated cost of the projects throughout the schools is $343,970. The cost includes removal of the asbestos tile, linoleum and mastic. In addition, air quality monitoring is included in this estimate. $40,000 of the money needed for the project will come from the school system’s capital improvement fund.