The demolition of the Cunninghams has brought about many questions around campus, one being the asbestos insulation which is potentially hazardous. Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used quite frequently before more advanced forms of insulation became popular.
Many people on campus worry about the danger of asbestos, but it is not as dangerous if it remains contained.
“Asbestos is inert as long as it is not disturbed,” said Longwood Emergency Response Team Captain, Corey Davis. “It basically becomes an aerosol, but as long as you’re not dispersing the particles into the air, it can’t get into your lungs and it’s not going to hurt you.”
According to Davis, asbestos has no smell to it, but the particles get into your lungs and scar up the tissue if inhaled over a long period of time. “It is a fire resistant material that was used in fire fighter gear, gloves and other fire resistant objects up until the 70s,” he added. “This shows that it has a more recent history than people may think.”
“There is no reason to worry about it, there is no impeding danger,” said Davis. “If they were to take a sledge hammer to the wall that would disturb the particles, but as long as they are not standing there continuously breathing it in, it’s not going to hurt them.”
“It wouldn’t be detrimental if a building were to catch on fire,” he added. “The fire fighters would have to take extra precautions but the bystanders who are a decent way from the building would not be in harms way.”
This is new information to most people because it is not visible, but asbestos insulation has been in buildings such as the Cunninghams and Tabb, the Athletics Building, for many years.
“It isn’t where people can touch it, there is an appropriate guideline being followed,” said Capital Design & Construction, Project Manager, Kimberly Bass. “Also, every building on campus with asbestos is kept thoroughly on record in case of emergency.”
According to capital planning, it is difficult to get the asbestos out of the buildings on campus because it is closed in behind hard surfaces, such as plaster ceilings. This is why they don’t take it out until it is time to do major renovations or demolition.
Before moving forward with the demolition of the Cunninghams, proper abatement of the asbestos must occur.
“Abatement is not a 100 percent affective process, there is a chance some particles will be released into the air but again that low of a quantity will not be harmful,” said Davis.
“It is important[that] people know the asbestos is not going to a landfill with demolition materials, it will go to a separate location to be buried,” says Bass.
According to Davis the replacement insulation will typically be a form of fiberglass insulation just like the kind found in your own house. “It is not as fire resistant, it can melt but it won’t catch flame,” he added.
This process will take time but the extra precautions are necessary to ensure student safety.
“Project abatement is set for Sept. 29, 2014, this starts the entire process,” said Capital Planning Trades Manager, Melvin Moore. “Demolition is set for completion on Dec. 31, 2014.”
