Asbestos Discovered in 7 Virginia Beach Schools
Virginia Beach School officials said they found asbestos-containing sealant at seven schools.
The school system has recently sent an email to the Bayside Middle School staff, advising them not to drill or nail the paint on the walls.
School spokeswoman Nancy Soscia said a sealant applied to the walls during construction was found to contain a very small amount of asbestos.
Soscia said the school year will start on time because the levels of asbestos found in the collected air samples were very low.
School officials came to know about the issue when some wall sealant was disturbed during summer maintenance at Plaza Middle School. When that material was tested, it showed a small percentage of asbestos. Then the officials decided to voluntarily test other older schools within the division and discovered a similar sealant in six others, including Bayside Middle, John B. Dey Elementary, Old Donation Center, Lynnhaven Middle, Great Neck Middle and Malibu Elementary.
School principals were informed regarding the issue and were asked to share the news with their staff. However, no special notice will be sent to parents as there is no indication of a health risk, Soscia said.
According to Soscia, newsletters are sent to all parents and staff two times every year regarding the school division’s asbestos management plan. She said the schools will keep on testing the material to ensure it doesn’t pose a health risk.
