Asbestos insulation has been discovered at a preschool located in McGill Hall at the University of Montana. Asbestos exposure can be extremely dangerous and may lead to lung cancer.

Asbestos Exposure at Preschool

McGill Hall at the University of Montana was built in 1953, in an era when many homes and buildings used asbestos fibers in building materials such as insulation and flooring. In mid-December 2018, a worker at the university discovered asbestos in an air system. The rooms affected by this air system, including the preschool, were tested for asbestos levels after the discovery. The asbestos exposure levels in McGill Hall were found to be unacceptably high, and the building was evacuated.

However, parents of the children at the preschool have criticized school officials, claiming that they waited too long to evacuate the building and share the results of the asbestos tests. According to Missoula Current, some parents are claiming that the University had received results showing unacceptable asbestos levels a week before they moved the preschoolers to a different location. One parent quoted in the article said, “Forever, we’ll have this anxiety that our kids are going to get cancer.”

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its durability and heat resistance that has been used in many products including insulation, flooring, baby powder, and car brakes. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, some uses of asbestos have been banned, including its use in paper products and flooring felt. However, many more of its uses have not been banned and it continues to be used in many common products today.

Researchers realized decades ago that asbestos fibers were extremely dangerous when released into the air and inhaled. When old asbestos materials begin to crumble and degrade, the asbestos fibers can become airborne and pose a serious health hazard.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

The catastrophic health results from asbestos may take ten to forty years to develop. Over this time, the inhaled asbestos fibers can work themselves in the lining of the heart, lungs, and other internal organs, resulting in inflammation and scarring. Eventually, this irritation can lead to a variety of health conditions, including:

• Asbestosis. This chronic lung disease is a result of scar tissue on the lining of the lungs.
• Lung cancer. It is estimated that between 3 and 4 percent of lung cancer cases are caused by asbestos exposure.
• Pleural effusion, plaque, or thickening. These conditions include changes to the amount of fluid around the lungs, thickened areas on surfaces of the lungs, or scarring of the membranes surrounding the lungs.
• Multiple kinds of cancer, including ovarian, kidney, and esophageal cancers.

Who is at Risk?

Asbestos is frequently found
in old homes and schools, as well as other residential or industrial buildings. It is commonly found in air systems, boiler rooms, and insulation. If you have been exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with lung cancer or another asbestos-related illness, you may qualify to join a free class action lawsuit or asbestos investigation.