A deadly mineral may be lurking inside our walls or under our floors. Luckily, the Environmental Health and Safety Department at UC Denver is on the case.
Most campus buildings were built in the 1970s, a time when asbestos was typically used in construction. That’s why over the past month, a survey has been conducted on buildings on campus for this potential hazard. Asbestos is only hazardous if it becomes airborne; thus, samples are collected using methods that ensure that none is released.
According to department manager David Krajicek, three to four buildings are checked for asbestos every year, usually during school breaks. Last month, Mike Pozzi of Environmental Technical Solutions was contracted to check the Central, West, Library, and Technology buildings over winter break.
Now that the semester has started, the project has been put on hold and may finish over spring break.
These inspections are done in accordance with the state Health Department regulations, but are not required by law, according to Krajicek. But, he said, the studies help the department manage their buildings more effectively and prevent a disturbance that could release asbestos into the air.
For the current renovation of the old Science Building, for example, the department has required the removal of the asbestos that they have kept records of.
The extraction of the cement-like substance is being done under strict containment, said Krajicek.
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