Asbestos Removed From Newark, NJ School
Contractors hired by the Archdiocese of Newark removed asbestos from the boiler room at the All Saints Catholic Academy in Bayonne last week.
Officials posted asbestos notices on the school building’s front entrance about two weeks ago. Notices were also posted at the school’s West 13th Street and Avenue C entrances. Only authorized personnel were permitted inside the building.
Parents were unaware of the presence of asbestos until they noticed the signs. Telephone calls and emails to school officials came pouring in, but there were no responses, as school officials were on vacation at the time of the abatement.
Archdiocese Spokesman Jim Goodness stated that the cleanup job had been scheduled for the summer months well in advance and that all appropriate permits had been obtained from the state department prior to beginning the abatement process. Officials claim that the project was scheduled as “preparation” for the upcoming school year.
Abatement was conducted by SGS Group and subsequent air testing was overseen by Omega Engineering. Officials stated that the job is now complete and will not delay the first day of school.
Parents, however, are still concerned about the safety of their children once they return to the building on September 3rd. No other school officials were able to be reached for comment.
