45°
In a statement on its website, the district confirmed that "the floor tile, which is non-friable and non-fibrous, did contain Chrysotile, a form of asbestos."
The district explained that a contractor, who was removing old carpet and tile in principal Michael Galland's office from July 16 - 17, expressed concern about the possibility of asbestos, and work was halted.
It resumed at Davis Elementary School in the office on July 20, using "asbestos abatement procedures."
Air-quality testing conducted in the building came back at normal range.
The district said it reviewed the work done at the school with knowledgeable staff. Based on the information from those meetings, samples of the removed floor tiles from the office on July 16 were sent for analysis on Aug. 2.
On Aug. 5, positive results came in from the New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Control Bureau.
The statement said the district’s Medical Director, Dr. Adrienne Weiss-Harrison, discussed the results with Environmental Health staff at the Westchester County Department of Health. They informed Dr. Weiss that they do not consider this incident to have resulted in an exposure to asbestos.
"Therefore, no adverse health consequences are expected," it said.
Paul Costiglio, the district's communication and media specialist, told The Daily Voice that a robotic call went out to the entire Davis community twice, and letters to staff and the parents of students who were in the building at the time are going out via first class mail Wednesday.
Principal Michael Galland and the district declined further comment.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are asbestos-containing materials in most of the nation’s primary, secondary and charter schools.
A pamphlet for parents on the agency's website reads: "Asbestos is most commonly used in schools as insulation and in building materials. It has also been used in floor and ceiling tile, cement asbestos pipe, corrugated paper pipe wrap, acoustical and decorative insulation, pipe and boiler insulation, and spray-applied fireproofing"
Click here to follow Daily Voice New Rochelle and receive free news updates.
