Asbestos Work Stops

By Jennifer McLartySaanich NewsJan 25 2006
The Greater Victoria school district is restricting its asbestos removal program to July and August after concerns were raised about recent work at Lansdowne middle school.Parents say they weren’t notified about potentially harmful renovations in three classrooms until they spotted “asbestos removal” signs during parent-teacher interviews in November. “I have to say all Work Safe B.C. procedures were being followed and the school board has been quick to deal with us, but as parents, we’re not willing to entertain even the smallest amount of risk,” said Jessica Vanderveen with the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils. “There are just too many uncertainties.”In response, trustees voted last week to postpone any further “high-risk” work at Lansdowne until summer vacation, and apologized to parents for not informing them sooner. According to chair Michael McEvoy, notices have typically been issued since the district began removing asbestos in 1988.“As far as I know that’s been happening. In the case of Lansdowne it didn’t and we’re sorry,” he said. “We’re making sure that protocol is formally in place as we committed to during our last board meeting.”But some parents want trustees to go a step further and cancel the removal project altogether, or at least impose a moratorium until there’s an independent assessment of its value. They’re worried removing the carcinogen may create a health hazard rather than prevent one. “Conventional wisdom is to seal it off and leave it undisturbed,” said Dr. Linda Reid, a local family physician and mother of two Lansdowne students. “There is no evidence of a safe asbestos exposure to children.”The earlier individuals come in contact with asbestos – a dangerous mineral fibre – the higher their risk for developing mesothelioma, or cancer of the lungs’ lining. Studies suggest children are particularly vulnerable because of their rapid breathing rates and proximity to the floor where loose fibres are likely to gather.“Once you inhale asbestos fibres they’re in your body permanently,” said Reid. “That risk is unacceptable.”Most asbestos in local schools is found in ceiling areas where it was sprayed on for sound-proofing, insulation or as a fire retardant. The district opted to remove it 18 years ago fearing it could be disturbed by earthquakes or as a result of leaky roofs. Most of the work has been completed. Some asbestos was also taken out to make way for more energy efficient lighting.The removal program has cost between $100,000 and $200,000 a year. Provincial funding stopped about four years ago, leaving the district to pick up 100 per cent of the bill, according to secretary-treasurer George Ambeault. One per cent of all cancer deaths is attributed to mesothelioma.About five to seven per cent of lung cases are linked to occupational exposure of asbestos.