New York school to undergo asbestos abatement, renovationsKingston, New York - In Kingston, New York, the local Board of Education has awarded a $273,000 bid to the Pleasant Valley-based Meyer Contracting Corp. to renovate Kingston High School's auditorium. Asbestos abatement must precede the renovations, as the work could disturb the mineral particles, forcing them to become airborne. Once inhaled or ingested, these asbestos fibers can be lethal.v
Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year. Mesothelioma typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years.
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the heart, lungs, and abdomen. Mesothelioma patients often benefit from chemotherapy, but the disease remains tragically incurable. While some patients perish within weeks of being diagnosed, many others live with this rare cancer for many years.
The renovation project began earlier today, and is expected to wrap up by the first week of April 2010, hopefully in time to house the performance of the spring play. Robert Pritchard, assistant superintendent for business and operations, the renovations will also include plaster work on the ceiling, which must be completed prior to the installation of the new seating.
"It's also cheaper to do this work as an overall bid rather than separately in the future." He added that any remaining funds in the budget will be used to offset the local property tax levy.
