WORCESTER — Asbestos was being removed from the old Doherty Memorial High School building before work crews recently started tearing it down , according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The natural fiber used in many older buildings, including the former Doherty High building that dates to the 1960s, is linked to serious health risks including cancer.
Students move into the new $316 million Doherty High in the fall, located next to the old school that is being ripped down by backhoes and other heavy equipment.
A review of documents supplied by state environmental officials shows licensed inspectors found asbestos throughout the former school building. A work plan signed in May by the Worcester Public Schools said removal of the asbestos would be finished before demolition started.
A spokesman at the state DEP said Tuesday the agency understands the asbestos removal was recently finished. The state is waiting to receive paperwork from the parties that removed the asbestos to determine if the work was done according to the specifications spelled out when the state approved the job.