Video shows asbestos removal at Medford school

News 12 Long Island obtained another undercover video showing workers removing what appears to be asbestos at Eagle Elementary School in Patchogue-Medford Saturday morning. A notice was posted in front

News 12 Staff

May 25, 2009, 3:34 PM

Updated 5,628 days ago

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News 12 Long Island obtained another undercover video showing workers removing what appears to be asbestos at Eagle Elementary School in Patchogue-Medford Saturday morning.
A notice was posted in front of the school saying that an asbestos abatement is in progress in 20 different locations in the building. School administrator Michael Butler calls the work being performed "minor maintenance." However, parent Robin Rizzo says there is nothing minor about the possible presence of a carcinogen at the school.
"My son is in the middle school now, and he has health issues," Rizzo says. "And now I have to worry about this."
The district has also posted a sign outside the Eagle Elementary School informing parents that air quality tests have been performed at the school, but the results are not in yet.
"We are just testing so we could further assure parents that there is nothing wrong with the air in the school," Butler says.
Earlier this week News 12 showed an exclusive undercover video and pictures of what looks like pipes covered with asbestos. Last year, the state issued the school two violations for improperly assigning school employees to remove the hazardous material. The district says it hired a qualified contractor in April to remove asbestos from the building, and that tests show the school is safe. Some parents, however, say they have not been notified about it.
"They are pushing it under the carpet, and they are trying to conceal all the things they have done inappropriately and dishonestly," says Lisa Welch, of Medford.
School officials say they will hold a meeting sometime next week to discuss the situation with local parents.