A children's center in Watsontown, Pennsylvania is removing asbestos from its building, the latest example of aging school infrastructure creating health risks for the state's youngest students.

The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, which runs specialized programs for 12 rural school districts in central Pennsylvania, is seeking contractors to handle the abatement at its Watsontown Children's Center on Main Street. The facility serves early childhood and special needs students, populations particularly vulnerable to asbestos exposure because young children breathe faster, spend more time near the floor where fibers settle, and have decades ahead for diseases like mesothelioma to develop.

Asbestos was widely used in school construction between the 1950s and 1980s before health risks became clear. The EPA estimates 733,000 public buildings still contain the material. Federal law requires schools to inspect every three years and remove asbestos when it deteriorates or before renovations, but Pennsylvania schools face a $19 billion infrastructure backlog competing for limited funding.

The project's timing suggests routine inspection found deteriorating materials or maintenance work uncovered them. Pennsylvania requires state-certified contractors for removal work, which typically costs $15,000 to $30,000 for smaller projects but can exceed $100,000.

Intermediate units like CSIU operate under tighter budget constraints than traditional school districts, funded by member districts and state subsidies rather than local tax bases. The organization serves rural Northumberland, Snyder, Union, and Columbia counties, where population decline and economic pressures have strained public services.

Contractor selection begins after bids opened March 31. Work will need to finish during breaks to avoid exposing students or disrupting classes.