Huntington Beach school officials announced on Wednesday that three Orange County elementary schools are being closed because asbestos has been found on campus.
Asbestos was found last summer at Oak View and Lake View during a renovation project, but now asbestos fibers have been recently found again at Hope View and Lake View so all three school are now closed at least through Friday for cleaning and re-testing. The three closed schools all tested positive for asbestos during inspections in August, then tests in September were negative. But a third round of inspections this past weekend revealed a fiber at Hope View.
Authorities have said that the schools had asbestos fire retardant that was installed in the 1960s and it may be deteriorating. They believe that it might have been released from the attic space during maintenance or installation activities above the ceiling. Eight other campuses remain open but officials have pledged to test all classrooms at all Huntington Beach’s schools.
At a public meeting on Tuesday, dozens of parents were angry with school district officials over their handling of the issue and some even called for the assistant superintendent who oversaw the district’s modernization projects to resign.
Meanwhile, Ocean View School District has been investigating whether contractors carried on removing asbestos from facilities after the school year began in September, which may have endangered the students.
If you have been diagnosed with asbestos a 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.
