College ends asbestos containment

The asbestos encapsulation done on the roofs of the college has been completed and all the occupants have been moved back in.

“It went very well,” said Environmental Health and Safety Manager Karen Reynolds.

The air was tested to make sure the levels of asbestos are below “background level” before, during, and after the encapsulation. The result of the final “clearance sample” of the air is available to college employees.

The area of construction were in the “air plenum area between the expansion joint by rooms 2576, 2583, 2551 (between Science and Math/Engineering) and the expansion joint by rooms 2275, 2351, and 278 (by Human Resources)” said Reynolds in a notification email to college employees. The fireproofing spanned from Aug. 15 to Sept. 9.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is currently used to resist heat and corrosion on buildings and other products. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality website states that inhalation of asbestos at any level is considered to be dangerous and it may cause malicious lung cancer.
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed, it can release tiny asbestos fiber particles that are too small to filter with masks.

The underside of the roof originally had asbestos, which was used as a fire retardant back in the day. The project was to spray it with a “glue-like material” to contain it and clean up any debris, said Reynolds.

Three major health problems that may occur with exposure are asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Asbestosis is a progressive, long-term lung disease and it is caused by the fibers irritating and scarring the lung tissue. The scars prevent the oxygen from entering the blood and there is no treatment.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer found in the lining of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart. It may not show symptoms until years after exposure.
Reynolds said the work was overseen by an independent asbestos contractor and done by a DEQ certified asbestos abatement company.

They have taken many precautions to contain the asbestos such as lining the area with plastic sheets to contain particles, posting warning signs and changing the locks of certain rooms to prevent entry, and blocked off the ventilation for that area, according to Reynolds.

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