At the August 3rd board meeting, the New Rochelle Board of Education approved Resolution 11-79 ordering the removal of vinyl floor tiles containing asbestos in 8 classrooms at the Jefferson School. The resolution lists six of the classrooms: Rooms 105, 106, 118, 119, 205 and 206.
The work is required to be performed in compliance with NYS Industrial Code Rule 56. After completing there is to be an OSHA air sampling. The contractor is required to provide waste and disposal facility manifests.
The presence of asbestos floor tiles at a school or other building does not mean there is any risk of asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibers are firmly embedded into the tiles and pose no risk unless the tiles are deliberately broken and asbestos fibers allowed to contaminate the air. Vinyl asbestos tile (or sheet flooring) in good condition would generally be considered “nonfriable”. According to the EPA, however, it is recognized that when nonfriable ACM is subjected to certain forces, such as mechanical forces, weather, or aging, it can be weakened to the point where it can become friable (i.e., crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure) and can thereby release asbestos fibers
Parents with questions can contact the medical director at City Hall.
Dr. Adrienne Weiss-Harrison
Director of Health Services
City School District of New Rochelle
aweiss@nred.org
914-576-4300
