The main building at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been closed as officials deal with the presence of asbestos.
A contractor working in the building raised concerns with the Iowa Natural Resources Department, and the school district said in a news release that testing showed one area of the building “is currently above an acceptable level.”
Tiny fibers of the carcinogen can be breathed in and lodge in the lungs, leading to fatal illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The building will remain closed while officials devise a solution.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
For Carriers, AI Can Now Mean Hyper-Personalized Customer Service, Leaders Say 
Illinois Man Receives $300K Settlement From Dog Attack 
Stomach Bugs, Not Hantavirus, Are the Bigger Threat on Cruises 
Progressive Is Biggest Auto Insurer, Surpassing State Farm, Says S&P GMI 
