Lafayette High School Students and Staff in Asbestos Scare

Numerous students and teachers at Brooklyn’s Lafayette High School might have been exposed to toxic asbestos fibers last week as a contractor ripped out piping containing the cancer-causing substance.

A school contractor disassembled asbestos-containing piping Thursday night and carried it through the hallways of the school close to the cafeteria.

According to teachers, almost every school student and staff walked through the affected basement corridor Friday.

Patrick Compton, a teacher, said the incident is frightening but not surprising.

The College Board has canceled the SAT exams that had been scheduled for Saturday at the Gravesend school Saturday. Classes also were canceled.

Dust and debris were reported by a school warden about 8 a.m. Friday. However, according to teachers union officials, School Construction Authority officials didn’t get there until 2 PM.

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said it was shocking.

“A complete investigation on the issue is essential as to how it happened and people should be held accountable,” Mulgrew said.

According to Education Department officials, preliminary air quality tests showed the building atmosphere was safe. The school will follow a normal schedule, officials said.

Asbestos, a potential carcinogen, is present in almost all old schools because it was a very popular construction material before the 1980s. Management and removal of asbestos should be done with extreme care as deadly asbestos fibers may become airborne if the material is disturbed. Inhalation of these fibers may result in fatal health issues.

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