-March 5, 2008
According to reports, the Libby School system and EPA responded quickly after a hole was found at Asa Wood Elementary leaking vermiculite.
However, parents and faculty are concerned that another asbestos incident could happen at the school in the future.
Asbestos Exposure in Schools
“We try to get W.R. Grace, the government, to pay for a new school, it's probably not going to happen,” says the Superintendent for Libby Schools, Kirby Maki.
Maki believes that since the discovery of vermiculite in the school's walls, the best decision would be to tear the school completely down.
“They took care of the problem the best they could, but it would be great if somehow they could add on this school or even possibly get funding for a new school to be built,” says Janel O'Bleness, who's child attends the school.
Discussions Regarding School Safety
The discovery of the asbestos at the school was found 10 days ago and although it's been cleaned up, the school board is trying to decide what to do next.
When the EPA first started cleaning up Libby eight years ago, the schools received a lot of attention from the EPA and now the community is hoping they will revisit the schools again to ensure their safety.
(Source: Montana News Station)
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