An unknown vandal who broke into a vacant school building has unwittingly exposed themselves to asbestos. Following a long weekend, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were called to the Vacant Rockland School in Campbell River, British Columbia. The police found that at least one vandal had broken into the school and vandalized the site. However, these vandals likely exposed themselves to asbestos during the incident. The old Rockland School has been vacant for approximately a year. The school is presently undergoing demolition and reconstruction, and this work exposed asbestos and other hazardous materials at the site.
Police are asking the public to bear the risks of asbestos exposure they face if they enter the site unauthorized. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo and radiation therapy, there is no known cure.
The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years.
The culprits hurled heavy objects through walls, and then fled the scene, according to police Corporal Brian Brown. It is believed to be very likely that the vandals were exposed to asbestos during the short period of time they were in the vacant building. No suspects have been announced.