Opelousas High School in Louisiana to Undergo Asbestos Abatement

After suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Gustav last September, Opelousas High School in Louisiana will undergo reconstruction to replace the makeshift classrooms in the school gymnasium.

An entire wing of the school was destroyed in the hurricane but aside from the rebuilding, asbestos abatement procedures must be completed. The school has hired M.D. Descant Construction for the rebuilding and Poche & Associates for the asbestos removal process.

The asbestos removal will be completed when students and staff are not present but the process can be time-consuming and expensive. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was popularly used in building components such as insulation, piping, and floor and ceiling tiles because of its high heat resistance. It was not until the 1970’s that the hazardous effects of asbestos exposure were made public. The government implemented regulations on the use of the material but many buildings and homes still contain the carcinogen.

Asbestos only becomes dangerous when airborne asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the soft tissue of the lungs. Exposure can lead to a number of diseases including asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. Symptoms of asbestos related diseases take between 20 and 50 years to appear and be diagnosed, too late for many effective treatment options.