As a parent at Olympic View Elementary school, I was shocked to read the story in the March 2001 issue of the Jet City Maven, "Demolition company has Maple Leaf residents fuming."

 At our elementary school, I am the founder and chair of a new council designed to address health issues concerning children in schools. Some issues we address are chemical uses, pesticides, indoor air quality, and, yes, neighborhood sources of pollution which may have an adverse affect on our students and staff.

 As noted in the (very well-written) article, TLH Abatement company deals with asbestos and lead-paint removal in buildings. There is question as to whether such products are stored in their facility.

 Regardless of this fact, any release of such damaging materials in the air, water, or soil can be of harm to local residents, the greatest threat being to children.

 Researchers are finding that children are more susceptible to toxins than adults. Their bodies are still developing and they take in more food, drink, and air per pound of body weight than adults. They behave - well - like children, touching and exploring their surroundings more than adults. These facts make them highly susceptible to exposures from everyday chemicals. Here are a few facts for your readers to consider:

 The dangers of asbestos are lung damage such as scarring to the lining and tissues, decreased respiratory function, and lung cancer.

 Lead is damaging to children in particular because it causes severe learning disabilities, and when inhaled as a dust can accumulate in bones and tissues to cause health problems later in life.

 Nuisance dusts can be tracked into schools to cause adverse effects on indoor air quality and can aggravate asthma sufferers. Asthma is the primary cause of school absenteeism in the United States today.

 What surprises me is that if TLH wanted to alleviate resident's concerns and to justify that their methods are safe, they could do that by answering a few questions.

 - DIANE CORTESE

 Olympic View Environmental Council chair