According to a recent report, employees and students at the UC Davis Academic Technology Services Department were carrying out unsafe practices which may have exposed students to asbestos.
The report states that the buildings on campus which were built before 1980 are likely to contain asbestos as at that time it was widely used in construction.
Although asbestos is safe if left untouched, two employees state that they were told to drill the walls and ceilings of some of the older buildings while students were present in the classrooms. They also were not told exactly where the asbestos was.
They also state that there was no proper checking of the area prior to the work to see if asbestos was present nor were they trained at the time of the incident.
According to Environmental Health and Safety experts, samples should first be taken to see if asbestos is present, and if so, professionals should deal with it and ensure it is properly contained, The UC Davis have said that this practice was carried out with the air checked regularly to ensure no asbestos is present in the air.
Following this incident and others at schools in California, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Action Fund has asked for all schools in the state to be inspected for asbestos.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP at (800) 598-0314 immediately, or contact us online for a free consultation.