Sparta High's Asbestos Breakout (fictional)

Sparta High's Asbestos Breakout (Fiction)

Kristin Piotrowski

Students at Sparta High School were quarantined on January 21st, 2010 due to a broken tile from a fallen desk and fallen heat wraps off of pipes caused by a water leak. These accidents have caused a possible outbreak of asbestos and students in the room at the time have been quarantined off for 24 hours for their own safety as well as vice principle Dale Stafslien and English teacher Troy Tiedens making a total of 16 people.

Asbestos has been used in tiles and piping for many of years because of its great use as an insulator, and then it wasn't known to be so dangerous to the lungs. Asbestos is a fiber that attaches itself onto the lungs when it is breathed in causing the lungs to become smaller and smaller, making you more susceptible to colds and pneumonia. Asbestos is not only found in walls but also in cars, cement, roofing materials, and used for fireproofing, and is harmless until it becomes loose and can be breathed in.

Sparta High School is only doing this precautionary quarantine for the students that were exposed to the potentially dangerous contaminant for their own safety. They are awaiting medical examination on the lungs to make sure we are safe. Sparta High Schools insurance will cover all expenses on the students unless they are smokers, due to the increased risk as a smoker.

The broken tile and pipe will be replaced with materials that do not contain asbestos but they will not be replacing all of the pipes or tiles. It costs to much to replace everything in the school and as long as they are properly in place, they do not pose a health risk.

Asbestos was not always known to be dangerous, and since only the 1980's did they become aware of its harmful qualities. The infected room will take a few weeks before it is safe to reenter and it will need to be stripped to the bare bottom. The tiles will be removed down to the cement and they piping will also be replaced. There is a vent that runs outside to let out the harmful contaminants and when the room is reopened it will basically be sterilized.

Stafslien says that there is no need to worry and that it is just a precautionary movement to help prevent greater damage and all families and school affiliates have been notified of the accident.