My classroom has sprayfoam from 1972on the ceiling which has grown dirty in parts quite disgusting .Dangerous?

Question

I wonder if there is fibreglass in it.It is easily scraped off, but creates dust from particles.I could remove it myself, but am wary of the dangers it might pose to lungs.There are no windows to the classroom. A student told me that it exacerbates his asthma.The schoolboard solution is to cover it up with a hanging tiled
ceiling.Is that reasonable?
No money in education for removal, unless dangerous.
Do I have any reason for concern?

Answer 1

If it is indeed dangerous, then it would have to be professionally removed.

YOU would have to have the STATE come in and test the material.


Renovation and Repair
Contents
Techniques for Protecting Occupants from Renovation Pollutants
References and Resources
Renovation is one of the major causes of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools, and is often conducted while the building is occupied. When planning and conducting renovations in schools, it is important to remember four potential causes of indoor air problems during renovation and repairs:

Demolition that releases toxic materials (e.g., lead, asbestos, or mold).
Construction dust and fumes.
Designs that interfere with ventilation.
Off-gassing from new building materials and products.
The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit contains a detailed Renovation and Repairs Checklist which can be used to establish a detailed renovation plan for the school. Also follow applicable guidance in the Construction section of this site.

Techniques for Protecting Occupants from Renovation Pollutants
Testing

Before performing any demolition, check for lead-based paints and asbestos.

Timing

When possible, perform work at times when the occupants are not in the building, such as vacation breaks, weekends, or evenings.

Distance

Keep building occupants as far from renovation activities as possible. The greater the distance between pollutants and occupants, the less concentrated the pollutants will be upon reaching the occupants.

Barriers

Install temporary barriers (e.g., plastic sheeting) to seal the work areas from the occupied areas. Cover all supply and return air grilles if the HVAC system in the renovation area also serves occupied areas so that the air ducts will not spread pollutants to occupied area. Exhaust air from the construction area so that pollutants cannot flow from the construction area to the occupied areas.

Containment

When possible, keep pollutants confined to as small an area as reasonably possible, rather than allow them to spread to larger areas.

Examples include wet sanding or vacuum sanding drywall to prevent the spread of dust, misting asbestos with water to prevent it from easily becoming airborne during demolition, and keeping containers of chemicals such as solvents, adhesives, paints, and other coatings closed as much as possible. Do not operate the heating/cooling equipment when work is causing dust to be visible in the air.

Cleanup

At least daily, construction debris, dust, and scraps should be adequately cleaned up so that there is less chance that these pollutants will enter occupied areas. See also Construction and demolition (C&D) debris - www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/debris-new/index.htm

Answer 2

no you shouldnt be worried .maybe you could ask janitor/caretaker to take it down after school-thats what i would do.After he has taken it down you could probably get some water and just scrub any patches or you can put posters on the ceiling?

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
also ask someone for advice e.g doctor,health clinic
or if you could look up a type of sprayfoam and ask the company what stuff they usually put in spray foam?

Answer 3

I would research it with the health dept. because it could have hazardous chemicals in it. just think they used lead based paint until I think 1978?