Students, staff and visitors of Kilgore College in Longview, Texas have been exposed to asbestos for years, according to an ongoing investigation of the campus.
A 14-year employee of the school came forward to investigators claiming that higher-ups at KC have forced employees to ignore asbestos present throughout several of the campus buildings, including dormitories, gyms, libraries and auditoriums. These buildings are high-traffic areas that house hundreds of visitors every day.
The reasoning, Facilities Director Dalton Smith says, is that the administration was attempting to save time and money by ignoring the asbestos in the walls and ceilings. The asbestos removal cost is often expensive, and could result in area shutdowns, leading to a whole lot of extra work for the administration.
The official response from Kilgore College states that it has not heard of any violation or investigation levied against it in regards to the asbestos, but individuals within the college have confirmed that FBI and EPA investigators are indeed questioning them.
The college already had a shaky history with asbestos; in 1997, an examination of the campus by an external agency revealed several areas contaminated with the dangerous material, some of which remain unfixed to this day. Though the college insists that the school is safe and that all asbestos has been removed, it is apparent that this is not the case.
Asbestos is not dangerous on its own, but becomes dangerous when made friable. When crumbled, the microscopic fibers are released into the air where they can be inhaled, which can cause numerous ailments, most notably mesothelioma cancer.
I Have Fallen Ill Due to Asbestos Exposure and Am Seeking Legal Recourse.
Mesothelioma is not an easy disease to deal with, and lawsuits are never pleasant. At Harrell & Nowak, we have years of experience in making sure that asbestos victims receive the representation they deserve. If you have been sickened by exposure to asbestos and believe that it was due to another party’s negligence, then please contact our office.
Did You Know?: Asbestos snow was used in the poppy scene in the Wizard of Oz.