Asbestos Found in UStore

By Michael Ames, Minuteman Newspaper

The interior of the University of Massachusetts Campus Store is under complete renovation. Construction on the project began a week after graduation and was planned to end with ample time to prepare for returning students on July 15, 2001. During renovation, workers unexpectedly discovered into asbestos. The current delay is because the University had to contain, abate, and remove the asbestos. The estimated time for the University Store to reopen for business is either the last week in November or the first week in December.

Asbestos is caused by deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed insulation used for fireproofing. Asbestos- containing material is defined as any material that contains more than one- percent asbestos by weight. The most dangerous situation is when it is in small non-visible form. After asbestos is inhaled it remains and accumulates in the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesthelioma (cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring). Symptoms caused by asbestos have a long latency period of twenty to forty years to develop.

In an interview with Vern Harrington from Thayer Street Associates, the General Contractor in charge of the job, when asked about the type of asbestos and amount of asbestos found he refused to answer only saying the job was going well. Rob Quick, the superintendent of the job, said the construction got under way, when a short time into the renovation they found wood and other materials that are not allowed in a high building like the Campus Center because of fire hazards. The State Building Inspector was called in to investigate when Anthophyllite, a very hazardous double hooked asbestos was found. It is easily inhaled and lodged in the lungs.

Anthophyllite is used as a spray-on fireproofing device. Thayer Street Associates located asbestos in the University Store and offices directly below the store. They test other areas of the Campus Center for air purity and also have Hepa filters running to create negative airflow. Quick also stated that "the abatement period (removal/and or encapsulation of the material) is drawing to a close." The actual renovation of the Store will resume in approximately two weeks. Rob Quick also commented that the Campus Center is considered to be very safe and there is no eminent danger to students.

< Back