The Mineola Middle School has reopened today after asbestos was removed from the ceilings of the basement shop and technology classrooms. School was dismissed on Monday and abatement began immediately following the dismissal of students. The timing was seemingly just right, as school was scheduled to be closed for Election Day.

Superintendent Lorenzo Licopoli sent a letter home to parents informing them that all asbestos had been removed safely and that no asbestos had been detected in the air. Licopoli also reassured parents that their students would be safe upon returning to the middle school building.

School officials are scheduled to have all asbestos-containing materials removed safely from the building by the end of February recess, and plan to continue air quality monitoring to ensure the safety of students and staff.

According to a related news article, some parents were still concerned about the health of their children despite being notified that all asbestos had been removed safely, and some were hoping to view reports by the county health department as proof of safe building conditions.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ “Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry” (ATSDR) released a report entitled “Summary Report of 28 Sites” last week, which highlighted former vermiculite processing sites across the country and provided evaluations for each, including information about possible asbestos exposure.

The former Zonolite Company, located in Brutus, NY (right outside of the Village of Weedsport) was included in the ATSDR report. Former workers,their household members, and members of the community were told to consider medical testing, as they may have come into contact with dangerous levels of asbestos during the processing plant’s operation from 1963 until 1989. Asbestos exposure has been linked to the onset of mesothelioma cancer, and because it generally takes about 20 years for an individual to begin experiencing symptoms following exposure, former workers and others in the Brutus community should most definitely consider mesothelioma cancer screenings.

The vermiculite processed at the Brutus location was mined in the W.R. Grace-owned Libby mines, which have become famous in the last nine years after so many Libby residents died from mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. According to W.R. Grace reports, the company thoroughly cleaned the Brutus location prior to closing in 1989 and even conducted air quality testing. No asbestos contamination was reported at that time. In 2001, however, the Environmental Protection Agency conducted soil sampling and discovered some soil contamination at the site.

In addition to those who worked at the Brutus location during its operational years, the employees of a cocoa husk mulch company that occupied the building until 2001 may also have been exposed to asbestos.

The ATSDR report can be downloaded by visiting www.atsdr.cdc.gov. Those concerned about their health can call the New York State Department of Health at 1-800-458-1158 extension 27870. A local representative of the NYSDOH, Deanna Ripstein, can be reached at 518-402-7870. A copy of the ATSDR Health Consultation report can also be viewed at the Weedsport Free Library on E. Brutus Street.

Despite previous public opposition in regards to adding chrysotile asbestos to the United Nations “watch list” of dangerous chemicals, the Canadian government has refused to confirm whether or not they are really for or against adding asbestos to the list.

Pat Martin, Democratic MP, attended the convention, and called it a “sad day” after learning that asbestos would not be added to the list. Various reports claim that Canadian officials were outspoken at the convention, while other reports stated that the Canadian delegation “did not make any public comments” on the subject during the convention. Martin thinks that the official’s failure to publicly address the issue is due to the fact that “this is not a popular stance back home.”

Chrysotile asbestos is the only form of asbestos that has yet to be added to the UN’s list. Along with Canada, India also opposed the addition, which can be attributed to the fact that India receives 43% of exported asbestos, which is mined and exported in Quebec.

According to a Montreal-based news source, the Canadian government has “for years” blocked regulations that would monitor export of asbestos in an effort to protect the asbestos mining industry, which reportedly employs about 1,000 people. Canada has spent a staggering $20 million to promote the export of the material in other countries, including India and Bangladesh.

Some Canadian residents are outraged, and many have written to their local newspapers and officials denouncing the decision.

The owner of the former Hulse Funeral Home, Debra Hulse, had been told by city officials back in 2007 to bring the building up to code after officials found numerous safety hazards following an inspection. City officials went into the Hulse Funeral Home after receiving complaints about the building’s condition.

Individuals who lived in the building, which had been converted into apartments, were becoming sick due to mold. When tenants began to complain, officials conducted an inspection. Mike Sutfin, Ottawa Building Official, stated that “…in the basement there was formaldehyde, old caskets, standing water, open wiring; it was a disaster, and it was mold beyond mold.”

Following the discovery Debra Hulse was ordered to clean the building but ignored warnings that tenants would have to move if the situation wasn’t handled.

In July officials received further complaints and returned to the building to order residents out, some immediately and some within thirty days. Following those thirty days officials returned to conduct a follow-up inspection, which is when officials say they also discovered asbestos. The building was immediately condemned.

Debra Hulse will appear in court on November 5th. A judge will decide whether or not Hulse will be fined and will also rule on what will happen at the condemned building. Those who lived in the building prior to it being condemned should consult with a doctor to determine their risk of developing asbestos-related illness, including mesothelioma cancer.