The Cedar Rapids Community School District in Iowa claims that there are a number of errors in a state report about asbestos exposure at a local high school.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report claimed that both students and staff may have been exposed to high and, therefore, dangerous levels of asbestos during Washington High School’s renovations.

The DNR is considering taking legal action against the school district, as well as the asbestos removal company associated with the renovations.

The Cedar Rapids school district, however, says that the DNR report made several errors and inaccuracies in the report, according to a statement.

The DNR’s allegations of uncontrolled asbestos, that may have exposed students and staff to its dangers, were in fact located in areas where students and staff were not present.

According to the school district, the area was put under containment to avoid such exposure immediately upon its notification of uncontained asbestos.

The DNR report claims that both the district and the contractor failed to remove all regulated asbestos material before demolition, failing to keep such material adequately wet, and failing to contain the material in adequately leak-tight containers.

The DNR report says that it is impossible to know how many school employees and students were in the school during the summer and may have been exposed to asbestos containing materials during renovation.

However, the DNR report states that 119 workers from several construction businesses were on site from June 8 through July 15 and may have been exposed.

The DNR report asks that Iowa’s Environmental Protection Commission refer these alleged violations to the Iowa Attorney General in order to pursue an asbestos lawsuit against the school district and the asbestos removal contractor. The asbestos removal contractor used by the district is the Abatement Specialists of Cedar Rapids.

Wanting to avoid legal action, the Cedar Rapids school district emphasized its continued cooperation with the DNR investigation. The district says that after there was any indication of high asbestos levels and possible exposure, it closed off the entire building. Before the new school year began, the district says, new tests showed no asbestos presence.

If the litigation process continues and they lose, both the school district and the contractor may face fines.

There is currently a hearing scheduled for January, after being bumped back from Dec. 15, 2015. This will give the DNR time to talk with the contractor about the situation. The DNR has already talked to the school district about the report.

During this hearing, the investigation and the school district’s response will be reviewed.

While the Iowa Attorney General can seek a $10,000 penalty per day per violation, it is more likely that the parties will reach a settlement before heading to court.

Asbestos Lung Cancer

Asbestos lung cancer can take a long time to develop but quickly spreads to distant organs. Because of these factors, asbestos lung cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage of development.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used for commercial purposes such as electrical or building insulation, as well as countless other uses. Asbestos microscopic fibers can accumulate in the lungs and cause several critical health problems, including lung cancer.

Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuits

Plaintiffs involved in asbestos lung cancer lawsuits allege that their cancer diagnoses were a direct result of asbestos exposure. This exposure and subsequent asbestos cancer diagnosis is due to the actions and inactions of manufacturers and contractors involved in the construction and equipment.

Asbestos lung cancer lawsuit plaintiffs claim that these manufacturers and contractors failed to adequately warn about the sometimes lethal hazards of asbestos dust exposure. In some cases, they neglected to offer any warning at all.

Asbestos lung cancer can lead to physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering, as well as serious medical expenses. The disease can eventually become fatal.

Many people exposed to asbestos, often construction workers, have filed asbestos lawsuits after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with or died from an asbestos-related disease, and have been exposed to asbestos, you may be able to file an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit.