Prince Edward Island Parents Concerned about School Asbestos

November 17, 2006 - CBC News of Prince Edward Island, Canada, reports that parents of students at Montague High School are concerned about the presence of dangerous asbestos fibers during upcoming renovations and demolition scheduled at the school.

An organization known as Friends of Montague Regional High School have expressed concern as to the negative health effects of asbestos during its removal on students who attend the school.  They’re lobbying for a new location for the school rather than extensive renovations to the old site, where the floor and other parts of the building are ripe with asbestos.

Parents and school neighbors recall similar worries when the school’s floor was replaced a few years ago.  "They had to come in [to the building] in space suits basically, in order to replace that floor. So we started asking questions around that," said group chair Kim Klein.

Officials confirm that asbestos flooring does indeed still exist at the downtown school. 

“As part of the project, we'll be demolishing the two pieces of the building that were built in the '60s and the proper procedures to remove the asbestos, under safe conditions, would have to be followed by the contractor when they do that work," said Foster Miller, director of public works and planning for the province. 

Any work to remove the asbestos would likely be done in the summer when students aren't in school, Miller told CBC News.

The group of concerned citizens maintains that building an entirely new school outside of town near the sports fields, as they suggest, would solve this problem and keep students from being exposed not only to asbestos but also dangerous dust and allergens during the demolition process.