The city council of Jacksonville, Arkansas is taking cost-effective safety measures to remove asbestos from an old building.
At least 10 local employees have been approved for a Pulaski County grant to help remove the cancerous asbestos from an old Jacksonville Elementary school building. The building is old and dilapidated. It hasn’t been used for classes in years.
Jacksonville Team To Remove Cancerous Asbestos From School Building
In a cost-saving move, Jacksonville City Council decided in April to train city employees for asbestos abatement at the old Jacksonville Elementary, avoiding a $99,000 contractor fee. Ten employees, funded by a Pulaski County grant, successfully completed their training from the Arkansas Environmental Training Academy, becoming certified supervisors.
Despite the training, progress on the school’s demolition has been slow, leaving the site vulnerable to vandalism. The city aimed to use these newly trained workers for this project and future asbestos-related demolitions.
Public Works Director Adam Whitlow highlighted the advantage of having multiple certified supervisors to ensure continuous work. However, health risks loom large as asbestos exposure is linked to severe diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The initiative, while cost-effective, has yet to yield swift results, with the site remaining an eyesore. Council member James Bolden proposed compensation for the risks the employees are taking, but no decision has been made.
Names Revealed In Certified Demolition Team:
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Paul Southerland
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Jacob Avery
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Kirk Hale
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Mathew Fenton
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Alexander Thomas
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Charles Gibson
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Clint Oglesby
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Clinton Thiel
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Courtney Peeples
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Hunter Pegram
Asbestos is Cancerous
According to National Cancer Institute, Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen. That means it’s a substance that causes cancer.
Federal agencies like U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency have labeled it as such.
