Asbestos abatement 101

One of the most unsettling terms used in renovation projects is asbestos abatement. Apprehension is often due to lack of information about how carefully asbestos is removed under the Illinois Department of Public Health rules, which Illinois State University will follow for the renovation project. The rules govern removal in Illinois schools and are more stringent than what is required for public and commercial buildings such as Stevenson and Turner Halls.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads. The fibers are resistant to heat, fire and chemicals, a durability that in the past resulted in wide usage in industry. Everyone is exposed to asbestos as low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water and soil. However, most people do not become ill from the exposure. People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to large volumes in the air on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact. (National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/ Risk/asbestos.)

Asbestos abatement will be conducted in Stevenson and Turner Halls this summer by LVI, a specialty contractor licensed by the state to do abatement. Their work will be monitored by Industrial Hygiene Services (IHS), a separate firm the University has hired to ensure adherence to state and federal health and safety regulations.

LVI will remove asbestos in the Stevenson Hall restrooms within negative pressure containment enclosures (pictured to the right, bottom) that are fully lined with a high quality thick plastic or visqueen, and an air-moving machine with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter will be attached to the containment enclosure to keep pressure in the containment negative compared to the ambient building surroundings. The negative air keeps fibers inside the containment area and exhausts filtered air to the outdoors.

If any portion of the asbestos abatement encroaches on occupied areas of Stevenson Hall, the areas will be separated by a solid barrier such as plywood or other boards covered with visqueen. The additional safety precaution eliminates the need for full evacuation of the building.

IHS will perform continuous air sampling and check the containment perimeter daily to ensure it remains intact and under negative pressure. When the work is completed, IHS will conduct a visual inspection and take clearance air sampling throughout the building to ensure the work environment meets strict clean-up objectives and is ready for occupancy.

For more information, contact David Martin, Environmental Health & Safety, at demart2@ilstu.edu or by phone at (309) 438-8326.