Asbestos closes Chesapeake school

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — A Chesapeake school has been closed after air quality tests found elevated levels of asbestos.

Crestwood Middle School was evacuated Tuesday and its 620 students were taken to Oscar Smith High School.

Chesapeake schools spokesman Tom Cupitt says school officials are awaiting the results of further tests to determine when the school can reopen or what measures need to be taken.

A contractor has been removing asbestos found in the insulation of old heating pipes during a renovation of Crestwood’s heating and air conditioning system. Principal Jacqueline Tate said in a letter to parents that the air quality tests are conducted by an environmental firm monitoring the asbestos removal.