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ºÙºÙÊÓƵ issued the following statement today regarding asbestos abatement:

ºÙºÙÊÓƵ has been working in buildings across the campus this summer to prepare for the new school year. Recent media coverage about asbestos abatement during work in Wellman, Haring and Olson halls has caused some confusion in our community. First, we want to reassure students, faculty and staff that your safety is our number one priority. Independent testing by a certified third-party consultant has confirmed there is no presence of asbestos in the air in these buildings. They are safe.  

While the university has a comprehensive set of policies regarding how to handle construction and renovation projects in older ºÙºÙÊÓƵ buildings that contain asbestos, we are taking recent allegations very seriously. We are investigating to see if any regulations or safety procedures were ignored or violated by any of our workers or by the outside asbestos abatement team doing such work. The university will take any and all necessary action based upon the results of our review to address any past mistakes and to ensure full compliance going forward.

Asbestos was widely used in various construction materials for decades up until the 1980s, and consequently many older buildings contain asbestos. The presence of asbestos in older building materials, however, does not equate to airborne asbestos exposure. When flooring, ceilings, wall materials or other typical building materials containing asbestos are disturbed, appropriate methods must be used to ensure asbestos is not released into the air, thus remaining safe for occupancy. ºÙºÙÊÓƵ has a long established practice regarding remodeling or renovating buildings, especially in older buildings where asbestos was a common material used for construction.

The university’s first step during a remodel or renovation project is to identify areas, through testing, where asbestos might be if the materials are disturbed. Once a positive determination of asbestos is made, the university hires a registered professional to conduct asbestos abatement using proper containment and personal protective equipment for the abatement employees. The university also hires a certified professional to conduct air sampling before a building or room is declared safe for reentry. ºÙºÙÊÓƵ is hypervigilant about ensuring buildings are safe for students, faculty, staff and the public.

When anyone expresses concern about building safety due to asbestos, ºÙºÙÊÓƵ takes immediate steps to ensure the environment is safe, which may include collecting air samples for independent testing. The university followed this practice for Wellman Hall and other buildings after concerns were raised. Air sampling tests conducted by a certified professional showed no detection of asbestos and no health concerns for anyone entering these buildings.

In addition, air in Olson and Haring halls was tested in late July in response to employee concerns. Those samples were also found to be asbestos-free. Renovation continues in Olson and is being conducted with proper safety procedures regarding asbestos and other potentially harmful substances, and air monitoring will be done upon completion.

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some common questions about asbestos: 

Do ºÙºÙÊÓƵ buildings contain asbestos within certain building materials?

Yes, most public or residential buildings that were built prior to 1980 and even through the 1980s did use building materials that most likely contained asbestos.

If asbestos exists in building materials, does it mean that it is in the air also?

No, in order for asbestos to become airborne, the matrix of the material that contains the asbestos needs to be disturbed by destructive means such as cutting, sanding, drilling, demolition, etc.

If asbestos exists in building materials but is not in the air, does that present a health hazard?

No, the only possible way that asbestos would present a health hazard is if it were in the air.

Is the air testing that was conducted in Wellman, Olson and Haring halls the only way to tell if asbestos is actually in the air, and can potentially present a hazard?

Yes, the air testing that was completed is the only way to accurately quantify if asbestos fibers exist in the air and if so, in what quantity.

If I see dust on a surface in a room that had asbestos work conducted in it, does that mean that the dust contains asbestos?

No, seeing dust on a surface does not automatically equate to the presence of asbestos.

What should I do if I see a building material that looks like it is in disrepair and I have a concern that it may contain asbestos?

Contact James Dunbarr, Environmental Health and Safety, at (530) 752-3734, or the EH&S front desk, (530) 752-1493. EH&S will work with Facilities Management to determine if the material contains asbestos and if so, will take proper steps to ensure repair.

Who can I contact if I have more questions related to asbestos?

Contact James Dunbarr with EH&S at (530) 752-3734 or the EH&S front desk at (530) 752-1493.

Read the ºÙºÙÊÓƵ from Dec. 16, 2014.