Asbestos discovered in Neufeld
Campus-wide inventory to follow
September 28, 2005
Kristin Ostensen
Ceiling tiles in the Biology lab of the Neufeld Science Centre have been removed after asbestos was discovered during renovations in late August.
Before asbestos was banned in the late 1970s, it was used in building materials such as floor tile, insulation, and counter tops. Inhaling the substance can cause serious diseases in the lungs and other organs.
In an all campus e-mail, Executive Vice President Dr. Guy Saffold noted that the hazard of asbestos is directly linked to the possibility that the material can break loose into dust or particles that mix with the air.
“The ceiling tiles [in Neufeld] were only removed because we were working up there,” stated Paul Johnston, Director of Campus Services. “As long as you don’t disturb [the tiles], they’re fine.”
Though Johnston stated that no one on campus has been affected, this discovery has sparked a campus-wide search for the substance.
“The first step is to take an inventory to identify components within building structures that contain asbestos,” asserted Johnston. He confirmed that TWU expects a contractor to be hired in the next couple of months.
Once this inventory is complete, TWU will launch an asbestos abatement plan to remove asbestos from affected buildings.
“It’s a lengthy process,” Johnston warned, adding that the plan might take several years to complete, depending on how much asbestos is found. Johnston referred to the asbestos abatement program at Simon Fraser University, which took 18 years to complete.
However, as Saffold noted, “It is never possible to remove every trace of hazard from… asbestos.”
Johnston compared the asbestos concerns to mould issues last year, pointing out that asbestos is a much more manageable risk because of all the work that has been done with it. The asbestos problem, said Johnston, will be dealt with according to regulations specified by the Workers’ Compensation Board.
Throughout the process, TWU’s Health and Safety Committee, which is comprised of faculty and staff, will review the various reports that come out of the asbestos investigation, as well as process issues of concern.
Asbestos Facts
According to the WCB “Safe Practices for Handling Asbestos,” asbestos is a “hazardous material.” Its fibres are extremely fine and can stay in the air for hours.
Asbestos exposure can cause the following diseases:
Asbestosis – a chronic lung disease resulting from prolonged exposure to asbestos dust
Lung Cancer – may be caused by asbestos fibres in the lungs
Mesothelioma – strongly linked to asbestos exposure; rare but malignant form of cancer affecting the chest
The University of BC’s website reports that 84% of the university’s 1 185 314 m2 of floor area contains some form of asbestos containing material.
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