After it was reported on Tuesday that Calvin Coolidge Elementary in Binghamton has been shut down for asbestos abatement, it’s now been discovered that over 200 students, teachers, and city employees had spent two and a half weeks in the building after inspectors first discovered the asbestos. A visual inspection was conducted by the Greater Southern Tier BOCES on July 19th when they identified a potential area of asbestos in a basement crawl space. Tests were conducted and asbestos disturbance was confirmed on July 30th. That’s when the district sealed off the area and began testing the air for asbestos throughout the rest of the building. At that time, state protocol did not require those taking part in a free six-week summer enrichment program to be moved out of the building. Teachers who were prepping classrooms, along with 21 staff members of the Parks and Recreation Department who were working with students, were also in the building during that time period. The results for the asbestos air tests came back on August 7th, showing unacceptable levels in the entire building with the exception of the gymnasium and cafeteria. Following that test, the district officials shut down the school. Officials say it’s difficult to determine how long the asbestos has been disturbed, and they are currently working to determine any work that had been performed in the area that may have caused the disturbance. A safe level of asbestos is below 70 structures per square millimeter, and the gym and cafeteria had less than 15 structures per square millimeter. District officials say most of the children taking part in the summer enrichment program spent a large amount of time in those two areas, along with spending time outdoors.
