According to a recent story in Tennessee publication The Jackson Sun, records kept by the school system show that there are 19 Jackson-Madison county schools that contain asbestos or material that contains asbestos. Every six months, a certified maintenance staff inspects the affected buildings, and every three years there is a formal inspection that is sent to the state of Tennessee.

The story mentions how at a school board meeting earlier this month, a Memphis attorney brought up the issue of asbestos and warned the school board that he would file a lawsuit against the school system if they did not “seek out a national firm to inspect the schools for safety and fix any problems.” The school system’s director of operations, Buddy White, said that the schools are safe — all inspections have been performed timely and the school system has maintained its records.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, metamorphic mineral that, when disturbed, releases tiny fibers that travel deep into the lungs and cause scarring (asbestosis) when they’re inhaled. Many of these tiny fibers are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Asbestos was used for many years in thousands of products like appliances, floor tiles and industrial insulation. Asbestos can be found all over the world, and the first asbestos mines were outside of Quebec, Canada.

The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure can result in mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that currently has no cure, along with cancer of the lungs, colon and larynx. Since the damage caused by asbestos dust happens over many years and can result in the progressive diseases of asbestosis and mesothelioma, many people who endure asbestos exposure might not see symptoms for 20-40 years. To speak with a resource professional and find out more about mesothelioma, call 1-888-370-0121.