2008 Woodie Awards
Asbestos gone; fiber removed with Bldg. 16 renovation
Colleen Shjeflo
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Yellow tape and sealed doors will caution students from passing through the construction zone in the heart of campus where the deadly fiber - asbestos - is being removed from the floor tiles as a part of the renovation project in Bldg. 16.
"If it is left alone, not disturbed it will not bother anybody," said Elizabeth Monticue, a registered nurse on campus. "However, the removal of the floor tiles will create asbestos dust."
Asbestos is a long, filamented fiber. If it gets into the lungs it is very difficult to get out. Lung disease can result from long term exposure, like mesothelioma.
"There are health risks associated with asbestos when it becomes disturbed or airborne," said Linda da Silva of the San Mateo Community College District Office. "We have courted off the areas where they are doing work."
Asbestos was a fairly common building material until the mid to late 1970's. Most buildings on campus were constructed prior to that time.
During the renovations of Bldg. 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 18, and 19 had asbestos removed by the same process, as Bldg. 16 will. In 2008, Bldg. 2, 3, and 4 will also go through this process.
In 1986, Congress passed AHERA - asbestos hazard emergency response act. The law deals the protection of schools during the removal of asbestos.
AHERA's protocol includes the project to have a management plan, surveillance of the process, and all the work is to be completed by properly accredited workers.
It is the institution's responsibility to make sure the workers are properly trained, said Michael Lohman, assistant director of the health and safety program at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). "We would rather the work be done while school is not in session."
"Most all of it is contained in the glues holding the tiles of the floor," said Barry Chin, project manager.
Any suspicious areas are detected prior to inspection with an indoor air quality test. If the asbestos-removal site can be blocked off then it should be fine. The college should be following a protocol of Cal-OHSA codes, said Monticue. "We are taking the more careful approach."
The new flooring will be made of linoleum, which is made from a linseed oil. There are a variety of options the college considered, but linoleum has a history of being more sustainable.
Other options included concrete, but can be hard on the feet for instructors, vinyl composition tile (VCT), or carpeting.
Linseed oil is an easily found resource that is very "green," which is increasing its popularity in more institutions, said Chin.
"The bags or drums are hermetically sealed. An industrial hygienist tests the air when they are done. Until they are given clearance, the workers cannot remove the containers," said da Silva.
"All people on the project are certified by the state to abate asbestos materials," said Chin. Indoor testing is done before and after the asbestos is removed to check the air quality. Following, it travels to a hazardous waste landfill in the Kettleman City area.
"If it is left alone, not disturbed it will not bother anybody," said Elizabeth Monticue, a registered nurse on campus. "However, the removal of the floor tiles will create asbestos dust."
Asbestos is a long, filamented fiber. If it gets into the lungs it is very difficult to get out. Lung disease can result from long term exposure, like mesothelioma.
"There are health risks associated with asbestos when it becomes disturbed or airborne," said Linda da Silva of the San Mateo Community College District Office. "We have courted off the areas where they are doing work."
Asbestos was a fairly common building material until the mid to late 1970's. Most buildings on campus were constructed prior to that time.
During the renovations of Bldg. 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 18, and 19 had asbestos removed by the same process, as Bldg. 16 will. In 2008, Bldg. 2, 3, and 4 will also go through this process.
In 1986, Congress passed AHERA - asbestos hazard emergency response act. The law deals the protection of schools during the removal of asbestos.
AHERA's protocol includes the project to have a management plan, surveillance of the process, and all the work is to be completed by properly accredited workers.
It is the institution's responsibility to make sure the workers are properly trained, said Michael Lohman, assistant director of the health and safety program at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). "We would rather the work be done while school is not in session."
"Most all of it is contained in the glues holding the tiles of the floor," said Barry Chin, project manager.
Any suspicious areas are detected prior to inspection with an indoor air quality test. If the asbestos-removal site can be blocked off then it should be fine. The college should be following a protocol of Cal-OHSA codes, said Monticue. "We are taking the more careful approach."
The new flooring will be made of linoleum, which is made from a linseed oil. There are a variety of options the college considered, but linoleum has a history of being more sustainable.
Other options included concrete, but can be hard on the feet for instructors, vinyl composition tile (VCT), or carpeting.
Linseed oil is an easily found resource that is very "green," which is increasing its popularity in more institutions, said Chin.
"The bags or drums are hermetically sealed. An industrial hygienist tests the air when they are done. Until they are given clearance, the workers cannot remove the containers," said da Silva.
"All people on the project are certified by the state to abate asbestos materials," said Chin. Indoor testing is done before and after the asbestos is removed to check the air quality. Following, it travels to a hazardous waste landfill in the Kettleman City area.
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