Asbestos hastens school's break

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer

King Intermediate School closed for winter break yesterday — three days early — after tests found asbestos in three more buildings on the Kane'ohe campus.

The school had previously closed two buildings after asbestos dust was found while workers were sanding the exterior of a building for painting in November.

The Department of Education anticipates the school will be cleaned and ready to reopen when students return from their three-week winter break on Jan. 11.

The move came the day after an informational meeting at the school, which 150 to 200 parents attended to learn more about the problem.

"We want to do everything we can to alleviate the worry that our parents feel," Complex Area Superintendent Lea Albert said yesterday.

"From that respect, (closing the school) is the most prudent thing for us to do."

Albert said parents' emotions ranged from concern to anger as they sought answers about how and why their children were exposed to asbestos, what the effect could be and what the school was doing to remedy the situation.

Most health problems associated with asbestos, such as cancer and other diseases, occur in those who were exposed to heavy doses over long periods of time, such as factory workers and miners. The problems usually develop 20 to 30 years after exposure.

The test results the school received yesterday showed a higher-than-normal asbestos level in one building and very small levels in two other buildings.

"Even though it's very low, it's just not acceptable," Albert said.

Russell Okaji, a toxicologist with AMEC Earth & Environmental, said the quantity and duration of the asbestos exposure at King was small, which decreases the chance of future health problems.

While health problems can occur from low exposure over short periods of time, they are very unlikely, he said.

He also said the crysotile fibers found at the school were the least dangerous kind of asbestos.

Asbestos is still present in most schools and office buildings, since it was commonly used as insulation and fireproofing material until the 1970s. It does not pose a threat as long as it is contained, officials have said, and schools must carefully monitor interior areas where asbestos is present.

The asbestos found at King was on the exterior of a building and was disturbed when the painters sanded off the old paint to prepare it for a fresh coat.

DOE spokesman Greg Knudsen said that given the latest results, "We have requested that the entire campus be tested."

The clean-up project will be managed by the state Department of Accounting and General Services, which will contract an asbestos-removal specialist to do the work.

It is not known yet how much the work will cost, said Knudsen.

Albert said parents will be kept apprised of the cleanup during the break.

"Most of all, we want it cleaned up so we can reopen the school so we can go on and people can be assured that the school is safe, both for the employees and the students," she said.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.