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KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) -- Asbestos has been discovered in the attic of an elementary school that was being re-roofed, preventing the repair of water-damaged ceilings and potentially delaying the start of classes, school officials said.
Acting Superintendent Greg Thede said the material was found Saturday at Henley Elementary School.
"It is in the ceiling of virtually the whole school," he said.
The discovery is the latest in difficulties at the building. Last year, parents and staff members blamed poor-quality air for respiratory illnesses and other maladies. An environmental testing firm tested for mold and took steps to remedy that problem, such as drying the crawl space beneath the school.
Thede said the district is making arrangements to have an abatement firm remove the asbestos.
"We will not put any student in the school unless it is safe," he said.
He said district employees went to the attic to test air quality before ceiling tiles were replaced with a drop ceiling.
"The roofing material that is sitting in the attic on the ceiling tile is there from roof demolition in the last couple of weeks," he said.
The roofing contractor, however, said the attic section where asbestos was found is below where non-asbestos roofing was torn off.
"They don't know where it's coming from. They inspected without my knowledge," said Aaron Powless of Powless Roofing.
He said the roofing was taken off in compliance with environmental and workplace regulations, and a district official was present during the demolition.
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Information from: Herald and News, http://www.heraldandnews.com
Acting Superintendent Greg Thede said the material was found Saturday at Henley Elementary School.
"It is in the ceiling of virtually the whole school," he said.
The discovery is the latest in difficulties at the building. Last year, parents and staff members blamed poor-quality air for respiratory illnesses and other maladies. An environmental testing firm tested for mold and took steps to remedy that problem, such as drying the crawl space beneath the school.
Thede said the district is making arrangements to have an abatement firm remove the asbestos.
"We will not put any student in the school unless it is safe," he said.
He said district employees went to the attic to test air quality before ceiling tiles were replaced with a drop ceiling.
"The roofing material that is sitting in the attic on the ceiling tile is there from roof demolition in the last couple of weeks," he said.
The roofing contractor, however, said the attic section where asbestos was found is below where non-asbestos roofing was torn off.
"They don't know where it's coming from. They inspected without my knowledge," said Aaron Powless of Powless Roofing.
He said the roofing was taken off in compliance with environmental and workplace regulations, and a district official was present during the demolition.
------
Information from: Herald and News, http://www.heraldandnews.com
