1 School to Reopen, 1 to Stay Shut for Asbestos Risk

Los Angeles school officials cleared Palisades Charter High School to reopen today, a week after its closure for asbestos cleanup, but more serious contamination will keep Roosevelt High School closed at least through the weekend.

Asbestos abatement crews continued to work Thursday in one of several buildings on the Roosevelt campus in which construction workers had dislodged the cancer-causing material, possibly exposing students and staff.

Officials said the risks at the Eastside high school were greater than at Palisades because of higher percentages of asbestos used in the building materials that were disturbed.

At Roosevelt, asbestos was found at several locations in concentrations of up to 25%, said Angelo Bellomo of the district’s environmental safety team.

On Monday, district officials told parents at Palisades that the asbestos released into about 32 classrooms was contained in wallboard at concentrations of less than 1%, which is considered a very low level.

“We expect an equally aggressive review of all past and future projects to prevent future incidents and respond to other incidents which may have been created by some of the past construction,” Bellomo said.

Asbestos, which can lodge in the lungs and lead to a higher risk of cancer, is present at almost every Los Angeles school, district officials said. However, it is not considered a hazard while bound into building materials such as floor tiles or fireproofing.

The district has stringent rules to ensure that any asbestos released during construction projects is cleaned up without exposing students.

The safety team has called for the suspension of any contractors who failed to follow the procedures.