In New York City, an asbestos incident that occurred earlier this month at Lafayette High School has students and teachers unnerved.

“This is something that shouldn’t happen,” said Richard Mangone, a social studies teacher at Lafayette. “I’m glad that the Department of Education and School Construction Authority met with all the members of the school campus and the United Federation of Teachers to ensure that this type of problem will not happen again.”

“This is a big problem with the potential for serious repercussions. The Department of Education must take every step necessary to ensure the safety of its students,” added City Council member Domenic Recchia. “I am incredibly disturbed that even though a custodian reported dust and debris at 8 a.m. on Friday, School Construction Authority officials did not arrive until 2 p.m. That is not an acceptable response time to a serious health hazard.”

Exposure to even a small amount of asbestos can lead to lung diseases, including the rare but aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects thousands of new patients each year, but to date there is no known cure. The cancer can lie dormant for decades before the onset of symptoms.

According to a statement released by the Department of Education: “Indoor air quality tests indicate that Lafayette High School is safe, and classes are proceeding as scheduled. We’re sending a letter to families in the Lafayette community to explain why the SAT was canceled and to inform them of the new test date. We are reviewing last week’s incident to ensure that our contractors are in full compliance with regulations, and we will take disciplinary action as needed.”

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