2008 Woodie Awards
HSU strips away asbestos
Remodels of old buildings are not a threat
Kyle Kaufman
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Campus
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Asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that can cause lung and respiratory diseases, is most commonly found in serpentine rock.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis, a disease that can scar your lungs, or mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. Usually, someone exposed to asbestos will not show symptoms of these diseases until 15 to 20 years later.
Tom Manoli, coordinator for the department of environmental health and safety at Humboldt State, said that faculty and students are not in danger. "Fifteen years ago asbestos was a health risk at [Humboldt State], but it's not anymore," he said.
Manoli explained that a large amount of asbestos abatement and removal in the last 15 years has made the campus much safer.
"Usually the abatement happens in conjunction with another project," Manoli said. Faculty and students on campus have seen an increase in the amount of construction on campus in past years. Before buildings with asbestos can be renovated, the asbestos must be safely removed.
Mark Baker of plant operations at Humboldt State said that asbestos only poses a threat when it has been disturbed or becomes airborne. He said that asbestos is usually encapsulated inside materials, sealed in and thus not a health risk.
During construction however, those materials are disturbed and the asbestos can become airborne. There are many steps in place to assure the safety of the construction workers and people on campus.
Terry Clerk is certified by California's division of occupational safety and health to oversee asbestos removal. He works for Winzler & Kelly Consulting Engineers, the company that oversaw the asbestos abatement in Harry Griffith Hall at Humboldt State. "It's safe, it's safe, it's safe," Clerk said.
Clerk said buildings are sealed off and a High Efficiency Particle Arresting Filter, or HEPA filter, the size of a washing machine is placed in them. HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97 percent of particles in the air. Air can only escape to the outside after it has gone through the filter. Sealed off buildings and the filtration system, along with a complex decontamination procedure for workers, "theoretically keeps dust and individual fibers inside the building," Clerk said.
While people around the building are safe, the workers inside the building who remove the asbestos must be concerned with safety. "They will potentially get exposed to asbestos," Clerk said. "It's our job to keep them safe. We've got to keep them safe."
California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health regulates how workers are trained and protected, Clerk said. The complex sets of regulations ensure the safety of construction workers inside the buildings and people outside the buildings.
Other regulations ensure the safety of people after abatement work in the buildings. "Air samples are analyzed before we open up the buildings," Manoli said. Complex microscopes check air samples for asbestos before anyone can be let back in.
Since asbestos is not threatening unless it is disturbed, earthquakes can be dangerous for those who remain in buildings. "There is no hazard outdoors," Manoli said. "Indoors it is possible for someone to be harmed by asbestos." The problem with earthquakes is that the asbestos can be disturbed and break its seal. The particles can then become airborne and harmful when breathed in.
Fires can also be threatening. They can also send asbestos particles airborne. "Asbestos can break down to extremely small fibers which can stay airborne for a while," Clerk said. Asbestos fibers, only a few microns in length, pose large health concerns after they pass through your respiratory system.
While it is possible to limit asbestos exposure, Clerk said, "It is nearly impossible to have zero asbestos exposure because it is naturally occurring, most commonly from serpentine rock."
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