Inspection of Saratoga Springs, NY Area Field House Reveals Presence of Asbestos

Routine inspection of field house owned by the Saratoga Springs City School District showed that asbestos dusts were present. Exposure to the dangerous mineral is known to cause a number of serious diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer and asbestosis.

Please complete the form on this page to obtain important information about your legal rights and options if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

In February 2010, a routine inspection of the Saratoga Springs East Side Recreation Field resulted in the closure of the Field House after the facility tested positive for the presence of asbestos. Air testing did not test positive for asbestos in the building, but asbestos dusts were found.

The Field House was closed, and the employees who work at the facility were relocated until the School District was able to hire an asbestos abatement contractor to clean the facility.

Since the School District and the City of Saratoga Springs had a contractual relationship which allows the city to use the Field House and field, both the city and the school district will share in the costs of asbestos abatement.

Asbestos Testing and Reporting Requirements for Schools
The School District’s testing for the presence of asbestos is only one requirement that all public, private and parochial schools in the U.S. must follow in order to reduce the risk for school teachers, staff and students to be exposed to the dangerous carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).

These requirements are part of federal regulations in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). In addition to periodic testing for the presence of asbestos at all properties owned and operated by a school, AHERA regulations require school districts to:

• Have all school buildings inspected every three years for the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM);
• Develop, maintain and update an asbestos management plan for each school building;
• Provide all teacher, parent and employee organizations that use the school buildings of the availability of the asbestos management plan;
• Advise all teacher, employee and parent organizations of plans to conduct asbestos abatement at school buildings;
• Appoint a contact person to make sure the asbestos inspection and reporting requirements are properly conducted; and
• Provide all school custodial and maintenance staff with asbestos awareness training.

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we may be able to help you to seek justice for your illness and file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Please complete the form on this page for a free and confidential review of your potential asbestos lawsuit or request a free copy of our asbestos sourcebook. A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.