Asbestos News

While the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) hasn't filed any more violations against East Providence High School over asbestos concerns, steps are being taken to monitor the presence of the carcinogen.

According to the East Providence Patch, Charles Tsonos, chairman of the school committee, told the news source that the asbestos testing will take place in the near future, with officials ready to make the appropriate repairs.

James Farrar, owner and principal of Farrar & Associates, which is overseeing the work, told the news source that asbestos tiles throughout the school need to be removed as ceiling and pipe issues, among others, are taken care of.

The Patch reports that an environmental consultant will be working with the contractor to ensure that the asbestos is properly handled and disposed of. This is of paramount importance, as the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers has been proven to cause a number of serious illnesses including asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.

The National Cancer Institute estimates 2,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.