As America begins to realize the staggering risks associated with asbestos exposure, an informative and inspirational response has come from an unexpected source. NBC began a primetime show this fall called School Pride, a makeover series focusing on the reconstruction of schools across America.
After the success of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, School Pride is a welcome addition to a growing list of makeover shows. Audiences have been able to watch the dramatic transitions of wardrobes, properties and relationships for several years now. School Pride offers a new educational spin on change while focusing on safety and health hazards in our nations’ school buildings.
Asbestos has been used for decades in building construction. A fire deterrent and additive for building materials, asbestos has been an integral part of shipbuilding, munitions manufacturing and other large US industries. In the nineteen eighties, however, health risks were clarified and asbestos use began to fade.
Today, the World Health Organization includes asbestos in its list of top carcinogens. The US Environmental Protection Agency has defined and described regulations or asbestos use in its Clean Air Act, which covers promoting and maintaining the quality of air in America.
However, thousands of school buildings still in use nationwide were constructed prior to qualified education or standards associated with asbestos. As these facilities receive continued wear and tear, the materials begin to break down, creating potential risks of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers are responsible for many severe respiratory illnesses including asbestosis and the rare cancer mesothelioma. Once inhaled, the fibers can begin a mutation process in the lung lining or lining of other abdominal cavities that leads to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has no known treatments and is characterized by a long latency period, often being diagnosed decades after exposure. Many believe the latency periods for patients exposed to asbestos prior to safety regulations has begun to peak.
Mesothelioma case numbers are on the rise around the world. With the number of children and faculty members moving through American schools each year, school buildings are a prime target in the fight to eliminate asbestos related diseases.
School Pride is a welcome show for anti-asbestos groups, asbestos related illness lawyers, and families concerned about their children’s exposure risks. Viewers who have been aware of asbestos dangers are looking forward to the additional publicity and education. Many hope the School Pride hour will spark conversations to put an end to asbestos related illness all together.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 at 6:25 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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