Quite likely the dirtiest of dirty words to local government officials dealing with dilapidated buildings is “asbestos.” It can be exceedingly costly to raze a structure containing the material. Asbestos abatement can be more costly than all other demolition costs combined.

But have many such removals of rundown buildings been substantially more costly than necessary? Possibly, to judge by developments in Belmont County.

There, one purpose of the county Land Reutilization Corp., often referred to as the Land Bank, has been helping local governments with demolition of old buildings. Last week, Belmont Mayor Stan Sobel was all ears as land bank Chairwoman Kathy Kelich reported on removal of one structure.

Flushing officials had been worried about an old school building in the village. Asbestos was a concern.

But Kelich, who also is Belmont County treasurer, reported asbestos removal had been completed at the school — at a cost of $780.

Sobel wanted more information about that, for a very good reason. An old school building in his village needs to be demolished, too. The lowest asbestos abatement bid received there was $199,000.

Land bank officials plan to check the Belmont situation, in the hope of finding a lower-cost solution.

As you may suspect, there are substantial differences between the two buildings. Sobel pointed out the old Belmont school has about 38,000 square feet of plaster that contains asbestos. “We need the opportunity to look … to see what the difference is,” cautioned Kelich.

It is unlikely asbestos removal can be completed at the Belmont school for anywhere near the $780 cost at the Flushing building. Still, land bank officials may have found a way to reduce the cost of taking care of the asbestos problem.

During the past few years, the land bank has built up an impressive record in helping get dilapidated buildings removed. In the process, the agency’s officials have gained important experience. Let us hope that can be put to use in reducing the cost of removing old structures through lower asbestos abatement costs.