Asbestos scare shuts down school

June 08, 2003|by RICHARD BELISLE

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A threat of airborne asbestos that closed Chambersburg Area Senior High School on Friday morning ended in the afternoon when tests showed the air inside the school was asbestos-free, school officials said.

School administrators said in a news release they learned of a potential release of asbestos in the Vocational Agricultural wing of the high school following the unauthorized removal of some floor tiles that contained asbestos. It was not related to any construction, maintenance or renovation projects.

The school was closed as a precautionary measure while the air in the building was tested by a licensed company, the news release said. No asbestos fibers were found in the samples taken.

"The results indicate a complete absence of asbestos fibers in all areas affected by the possible release," officials said in the news release. "These results confirm that the affected area is free of airborne asbestos particles and safe for use by students, staff and the public."

As an added precaution, the school district has authorized Clear Ridge Roofing, its asbestos contractor, to expand the scope of the asbestos abatement plan to include a complete remediation of the immediate area from which the floor tiles were removed, the news release said.

The high school will be open today from 7 to 11 a.m. so students and staff can pick up personal items.

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