In smaller concentrations, the impact is more like an allergy, differentially affecting teachers and children. Last spring, I was forced to evacuate an elementary school in which we found both the Stachybotrus and Penicillium molds and to relocate 750 students to four other schools for the remainder of the school year. We had to make that decision in the space of two hours. We now know it will require several million dollars and one year to remediate the moldy classrooms. Asbestos presented us with yet another unusual assessment challenge.
Asbestos is harmful when it becomes airborne.
At that point, the fibers may lodge in the lungs and become hazardous to personal health. Once again we had to move elementary students to asbestos-free rooms. Fortunately they were allowed to stay in their own school. The cost of remediation will exceed one million dollars. This means that, instead of receiving funding from the state, we would be giving money back to equalize spending for public education statewide.