A group of Philadelphia elementary school students have been relocated because of an asbestos scare and are awaiting Tuesday’s test results.
The Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Annex, located within the Pilgrim Baptist Church in the Crescentville section of Philadelphia, was tested for asbestos on Friday, April 22 by the Office of Environmental Management & Services and the Philadelphia Teacher’s Union’s Health and Welfare Fund. The tests determined that the airborne samples were over the Philadelphia Asbestos Control Regulations re-occupancy criteria. As a result, the students and teachers were moved to the school’s main building two blocks away.
Friday’s high levels came after numerous tests showed airborne asbestos levels were under the limit. Just one day prior, levels were under the limit, according to a press release by the school district. The statement also claimed that Friday’s results are the first of its kind:
“The District has leased the space at Pilgrim Baptist Church since 2003 and routine asbestos inspections have been conducted every six months according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Asbestos Hazard Response Act (AHERA) regulations. Until this most recent round of testing, there have been no known instances of elevated levels of airborne asbestos at the facility. Updates about today’s test results and next steps will be released as soon as they become available. The District is committed to ensuring that students are learning in clean, environmentally safe facilities.”
On Monday, April 25, environmental officials were at the annex to conduct additional and more extensive testing. The results from Monday’s bout of testing are expected to be released on Tuesday.
The building remains closed to all students and teachers until the test results are known and further actions can be determined.
