Asbestos Closes Connecticut High School

Novmber 3, 2006 - Officials abruptly closed New Canaan High School this week after asbestos levels measured above Connecticut Department of Public Health, or DPH, standards. 

"Our asbestos consultant needed us to close the school, which we don't like doing, but we'll always err on the side of safety," David Abbey, superintendent of New Canaan School District told the Wilton Register.

Workers at the school, who had been removing asbestos, had taken two air quality tests on Monday to measure levels.  One of the tests came back positive.

"We had an elevated reading around noon on Monday, which we sent to Wallingford (CT) to get tested. It came back slightly elevated and over DPH criteria," Abbey said. "But it was so slight that adults could still be in the building."

However, after Monday's first positive reading, Abbey decided to close schools for everyone on Tuesday.  Clean-up began immediately and levels tested later this week remained consistent with acceptable standards.