The library at South-Doyle High School in Knox County, Tennessee is currently closed through the rest of the school year after asbestos was discovered by Knox County School’s environmental management department.

Parents and staff were sent a letter about the asbestos in the library, saying it was “located between the library ceiling and the roof,” according to interim principal Sherry Smith.

“The material is only contained in this area, and has not been found in any other areas of the building,” the letter read. “Additionally, air testing has confirmed that there is no asbestos within the usable space of the library – only between the ceiling and the roof.”

Remediation to remove the asbestos will take place in May after the school year finishes to eliminate the chance of asbestos exposure affecting students. Smith also said staff and resources would be relocated to other areas of the school as a precautionary measure in the meantime.

Asbestos Exposure Concerns

Asbestos is a mineral that is found in hill and mountain areas. It was once commonly mined before the dangers of the mineral were understood, and there are no active mines today. Asbestos is a soft mineral used for its insulative properties in building materials and also for fire protection. Asbestos was used commonly in many building materials up until a few decades ago, and its use is much less today.

When it is secured in materials, asbestos is not inherently dangerous. However, when the particles are disturbed and become airborne, asbestos exposure becomes a grave concern. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to a number of concerning health issues which may be fatal. Cancer due to asbestos exposure is the most common.

Asbestos Cancer Types

Two types of asbestos cancer are the most widely known, though other types of cancer resulting from asbestos exposure have also been documented. The two most common cancers associated with asbestos are lung cancer and mesothelioma.

The terms lung cancer and mesothelioma are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two different conditions. Lung cancer, the most common cancer, is the result of abnormal cells in the lungs themselves.

Mesothelioma, on the other hand, refers to cancer in the mesothelial lining of the chest and abdominal cavity of the body. It is a very specific location, and mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, where lung cancer can have a number of causes.

Both lung cancer and mesothelioma are difficult to treat. Patients diagnosed with asbestos cancer in the lungs or asbestos mesothelioma often have a poor prognosis.

Asbestos cancer usually takes a long time to develop- typically decades after the initial exposure. Because of the time delay of exposure and onset, as well as patients not having access to old homes or workplace buildings where they were likely exposed makes diagnosis difficult.

Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit Information

Patients who were diagnosed with asbestos cancer often feel that they were not adequately informed or protected from their asbestos exposure and go on to file lawsuits against the manufacturer of asbestos-containing materials, or their employers.

Such lawsuits cannot reverse the damage of what has been done, but they can assist in recovering finances due to medical bills and other losses and can hold companies accountable for ensuring the safety of their employees and consumers.