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Long Island school officials admit fault in asbestos matter
Carle Place school officials have admitted that they were to blame for an asbestos-related mistake. Officials announced last week that they made an error in judgment when the failed to hire a specially licensed contractor to run conduits through an asbestos-insulated space beneath the district's Rushmore Elementary School.
The school sent a letter home to parents, outlining the incident. The letter also aimed to calm fearful parents by stating that air quality testing had been conducted, and no detectable levels of asbestos had been revealed after the work was done on the portions of the space containing asbestos.
Part of the letter reads: "If we had 20-20 hindsight, we'd probably hire somebody licensed to work in a protected area." The letter was sent out by Superintendent W. Michael Mahoney. State law requires special licenses for contractors working with asbestos, because asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.
Mesothelioma affects the lungs, abdomen, or pericardium at first, and in later stages moves aggressively throughout the body. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. The majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.
Karen Williamson, a spokeswoman for the state labor department, told reporters that an inspector had visited Rushmore Friday, after a complaint was lodged. Williamson says that a report will be completed later.