Free Mesothelioma Information Packet
Enter your information to receive a comprehensive mesothelioma packet free of charge at your doorstep within 24 hours.
Small explosion at Syracuse school prompts asbestos exposure worries
In Syracuse, New York, an Islamic school has been closed following a small explosion in the basement earlier this month, which forced 75 students to evacuate while local and federal authorities investigated the blast. It has now been determined that the explosion at the Ihsan School of Excellence spread asbestos throughout the building, according to Syracuse fire investigator Lt. Ken Heffernan.
Exposure to asbestos can cause serious respiratory ailments such as asbestosis, pleural plaques, and mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects 3,000 people a year in America. Mesothelioma can also manifest initially in the abdomen or the lining of the heart. The accidental explosion at the Ihsan School was caused by faulty equipment.
"We don't have a clear picture yet," said Ashraf Attia, who serves on the school's board of directors. "We're working to bring (the school) back to where it was."
The incident is upsetting to many school officials, as the school recently spent $500,000 on renovations. The explosion was investigated by Syracuse police and firefighters in conjunction with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Federal officials were called in to the investigation because the school is technically considered a place of worship.
The school is working with its insurance company to fix the damage and clear the asbestos. However, a timetable has not yet been announced. Until asbestos materials and asbestos dust are safely removed from the site, students and staff will be unable to enter the building for classes.