Mesothelioma in Children As a Result of Asbestos Exposure in the Schools

A Health Care Article Contributed by Diana Montane

How do You Know If Your Child Has Been Exposed to Asbestos?

According to the Asbestos Network, the construction of schools, since 1940 through 1970 consisted mostly of asbestos, a conglomeration of minerals used to build materials for fireproofing th schools, as well as tiles on floors and celings and pipes to insulate schools in states where cold weather made insulation necessary.

At that time, the hazards resulting from asbestos exposure were little known, and didn't fully surface till the mid 70's until 1980.

Once the use of asbestos became a matter of public knowledge, parents became increasingly and understandably concerned about their children's exposure to the material, either from breathing or inhaling the particles, or from particles sticking to their clothes and hair.

In other words, the children were bringing the asbestos particles home with them, and with them the potential to contaminate their parents and younger siblings with the rare form of cancer known as mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the cells in the protective tissues which cover internal organs. Immediately the parents' associations and school districts mobilized themselves and several laws were passed regarding the use of asbestos.

However, despite the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Law Act, which was signed into law in 1986 and made school inspections mandatory, it remained near to impossible to eradicate all of the materials made with asbestos in the public and private schools throughout the United States.

The law also ordered to repair materials containing asbestos and isolating it in such a way that the disease producing fibers would not escape.

The law also mandated that all schools built after the passage of the law be thoroughly inspected for asbestos.

The inspections came into effect in 1988, but despite these plans and provisions, the alarming fact remains that your child may have been exposed to asbestos particles.

The Toxic Substance Control Act of 1990, and Which Was Put into Effect in 1994, Makes the Laws Covering Asbestos Management and Control Much More Stringent, Both at the State and at the Local Levels. Workers and Supervisors Must Obtain an Accreditation Which Enables Them to Continue the Construction and Repair of Schools.

But What about Playgrounds Which May Contain Asbestos?

The above cited laws cover the inside of the schools at the state and local level. However, there are areas in the country which has used the rock called serpentine in the construction of playgrounds, and schoolyards. Or, simply, there are some areas where the asbestos-containing rock is prevalent.

California is one of these states, and the states Air Resources Board advised that these areas in playgrounds and school yards be inspected. Geologists were ordered to examine areas with the asbestos rock, and found the rock that has a greenish to bluish color with gray or black.

Where is Serpentine Found?

The rock called serpentine, which contains asbestos, is found, as cited, mostly in California and other areas in the West Coast, but also in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains.

Refer to your state laws regarding asbestos in the schools to determine what measures are being taken, and become involved in the implementation and supervision of these laws. It's more important than helping your child which his or her homework.