With School Out, Crews To Remove Asbestos From Mount Vernon High School

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – With the academic year winding to a close this week, Mount Vernon schools officials stand set to start the process of removing asbestos that was found in several locations at the high school.

Asbestos will be removed from the Mount Vernon High School as students depart for summer vacation.
Photo Credit: *File*

Zak Failla

06/25/2015 5:00 a.m.

School officials confirmed that the dangerous cancer-causing agent was discovered in the library at the high school, as well as several classrooms. The areas have been sealed off and quarantined from students as they prepare for the last day of school on Thursday and the high school graduation ceremony on Friday.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is has been classified as a known carcinogen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of membranes that line the chest and abdomen.

There will be no students in the building when the asbestos removal begins, and all removal efforts are being done according to state and local laws and regulations.

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