University of Central Oklahoma cleans up asbestos over Thanksgiving break

Jan 12, 2010

While University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) students were home for the Thanksgiving holiday, work crews were busy removing asbestos that had been discovered on the Nigh University Center roof. The toxic substance had been discovered when university maintenance had been attempting to repair faulty water drains that were causing a leak in the building’s fourth floor ceiling. Tests confirmed that 14 of the drains contained two types of asbestos: chrysotile and amosite.

Asbestos removal could not begin until the Nigh Center was vacant, so the work was completed while students were off campus. The asbestos detection and abatement work was completed by the UCO Environmental Health and Safety Department, Marshall Environmental and Environmental Action Incorporated.

There are federally mandated guidelines for asbestos handling and removal that help protect asbestos workers and the community from the hazardous effects of the toxic substance. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can cause an inflammatory lung disease called asbestosis or several types of cancer, including a rare form called mesothelioma. Asbestos workers wet down the substance before working with it in order to prevent these fibers from becoming airborne.

The asbestos on the roof did not pose a harm to university students or staff before it was removed, but had it not been taken care of, asbestos dust could have been shaken free during upcoming roof work. UCO has an asbestos management plan in place that covers all areas of the campus.

For the full story, go to UCO360.com.

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