Employees of the 25 tenants occupying office space in a downtown Elgin building were displaced over a recent weekend to remove asbestos and ensure the air quality was safe. The Tower Building, a 15-story structure that is over 90 years old, contained water lines insulated with asbestos. New city water lines being installed nearby required that the building’s drinking and sprinkler water supplies be separated, necessitating the asbestos removal work. The building was closed for a weekend in mid-May to test the air to ensure the safety of the building’s occupants. Asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart, as well as other diseases.
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