In Redmond, Oregon, a local high school has been evacuated due to fears of an asbestos release.
At the Redmond High School, officials evacuated and sealed off the gymnasium on Friday after asbestos-tainted material was dislodged from the ceiling. The material was knocked off the ceiling when a tennis ball struck the surface of the ceiling.
The gym is closed until further notice.
Stephanie Curtis, the Redmond School District’s Communication Officer, said in a statement that the impact of the tennis ball caused spray-on fire retardant to fall to the gymnasium floor.
After the area was evacuated, the district contacted Alpine Abatement and Paulson Environmental to arrange for the necessary testing and clean-up. The school must now be tested in order to ensure that unacceptable levels of asbestos are not present.
"The safety of our students and staff is always our first concern and there is no reason to believe that anyone was at risk," states JB Demaris, Facilities Manager for Redmond High School.
"We are, however, proceeding under the standards we are required to follow for cleanup and testing in these types of incidents."
When inhaled, asbestos fibers can work their way into the soft tissues of the lungs, abdomen, and pericardium, leading to the rare cancer mesothelioma.
Once common around the world in building materials, asbestos is now banned in dozens of countries. Although the United States has yet to ban the toxic substance, it is regulated. Asbestos was once prized for natural resistance to flame and chemical damage. Asbestos was once a common component in building materials such as fireproofing, insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and siding.