• How did the exposure happen?
• Who is at risk?
• What is the risk?
• Was the entire building affected?
• What is the district doing to ensure that the building is safe?
• What is the likelihood that school opening will be delayed?
• Who is going to pay for the cost of cleanup and any school opening delay?

How did the exposure happen?
The contractor removing old carpet and tile from the hallways of MSMS did not follow proper procedures. The old tile contained asbestos and certain precautions were required but not followed.
Back to FAAQ

Who is at risk?
The extent of possible contamination is not known. However, the people who were in the building during the construction period (July 18 – July 28) may have been exposed to asbestos in dust caused by the removal process. Those people are being contacted by the district and Vermont Department of Health. If you believe you may have been exposed, or if you know of anyone who was in the building during that time, please make sure they have notified the district (223-9796).
Back to FAAQ

What is the risk?
Asbestos has been documented to cause diseases, including cancer. However, the type of asbestos (chrysotile) in floor tile is thought to cause disease only in those who have been exposed to substantial doses on a regular basis over many years. Asbestos was used for many years in products associated with construction and insulation, so it exists in the environment. However, since the connection between exposure to asbestos and certain health conditions was established, its use has been banned. Existing asbestos must be under a management plan to keep the fibers from becoming airborne. Removal of asbestos requires certain procedures. However, the removal of asbestos floor tile does not require a special license, while the removal of asbestos insulation does.
Back to FAAQ

Was the entire building affected?
No. Tests have shown that the cafeteria and the addition (gymnasium wing) contain no asbestos fibers. We anticipate re-occupancy today (8/1). Also, there was another asbestos removal project going on the bottom floor, where all proper procedures were followed. This will expedite clean up of that floor; we anticipate that to be complete 8/5, with testing to follow. If all goes well, we could resume the flooring project late that week or early the next.
Back to FAAQ

What is the district doing to ensure that the building is safe?
Crothers Environmental Group, our asbestos consultant, has submitted a plan for clean up to the Vermont Department of Health. The DOH must approve that plan before clean up can occur. We will also be contracting with a Certified Industrial Hygienist to work with us to insure that the building and its air system are safe. The building has been sealed in anticipation of the clean up, which will be conducted by firms certified to do so. After the cleanup (anticipated to be complete by 8/14), air testing will be done to determine if the building is safe for occupancy. When conducting the air tests, fans and leaf blowers are used to stir up any remaining dust so that the test has maximum ability to detect any remaining fibers. Should these tests indicate that the building is not free of asbestos, extraordinary actions will be required to clean the building, such as disposing of all porous material (carpet, paper) and removing and cleaning each piece of furniture. This process would consume several weeks.
Back to FAAQ

What is the likelihood that school opening will be delayed?
At this point (8/1), our consultant anticipates that the building will be certified safe and available for occupancy early in the week of August 18. The flooring project then needs to be completed (work on the bottom floor may be able to commence well before that). We will be working with the flooring contractor to determine a timeline for completion, but do not have that at this time. However, in this case we anticipate school would open either on time or just a few days late. However, if the tests fail and extraordinary measures are required, we will be seeking alternate locations for MSMS classes. We will begin this contingency planning during the week of August 4 so that we are ready with an alternate plan should it be needed.
Back to FAAQ

Who is going to pay for the cost of cleanup and any school opening delay?
This is a matter for our insurance company and, presumably, the contractor’s insurance company. We have scheduled meetings with our insurance carrier and our lawyer to pursue this issue.
Back to FAAQ