Environmental Health & Safety

Asbestos Abatement

This section of Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for the testing and abatement or removal of asbestos containing materials on OSU property. Considering the size and number of these buildings,
this is a large task for the 10-member crew.

All abatement and removal is conducted according to rules and regulations set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Labor. These regulations require yearly refresher training courses and worker re-certification.

Not every pipe and ceiling tile contains asbestos material, but whether it does or not cannot be determined by the naked eye. Samples of the suspect material (collected by licensed workers) are analyzed under a microscope (using polarized light microscopy) in the EHS laboratory (its license is limited to asbestos projects on University property). Every sample is positive until proven otherwise.

Asbestos is removed only when required for renovation, remodeling or maintenance. This usually involves moving ceiling tile, repairing plumbing or anything else that contains asbestos. It is the responsibility of campus maintenance personnel or contractors to arrange for inspection and/or removal of asbestos by EHS.

Emergency removal is conducted when asbestos has been accidentally disturbed--usually because of water leaks involving contaminated ceiling tile. The affected area is immediately evacuated and secured, all air handlers serving that area are shut down, and the "spill" is reported to the Oklahoma Department of Labor. Every effort is made to return the affected area to its normal occupancy as soon as possible.

Abatement is done inside enclosures to prevent the fibers from spreading. Air handling units serving the affected area are turned off until the work is completed to keep the fibers from spreading to other areas. Workers wear respirators and disposable coveralls to protect themselves while working. To prevent any attached fibers from getting into the surrounding air, the coveralls are disposed of when the worker exits the enclosure.

When a job has been completed, samples of the surrounding air are analyzed under a phase-contrast microscope. Based upon the results, the area is either cleared or re-cleaned and re-sampled. If the area is declared "clear," it is opened to normal occupancy and all warning signs are removed.

Asbestos--What Is It?

Asbestos is a generic term for a group of minerals known for their strength, flame and heat resistance, and seemingly indestructible qualities.

Once considered a “miracle mineral,” asbestos was used for many years in building construction. It can be found in many forms and places. Asbestos was used in boiler and pipe insulation, plasters, floor tile, electrical insulation, and as a fireproofing material on structural members in buildings. It has also been sprayed on ceilings and walls as acoustic insulation.

Because of its indestructible qualities, asbestos is harmful to the human body. The body cannot digest, break down, or change asbestos; it can only attempt to encapsulate it with scar tissue.

Several types of asbestos were banned by the EPA in the mid-70’s due to concern over the health effects (especially cancer) associated with exposure to such materials. It is important to remember that asbestos generally has been found to be hazardous to humans when it is inhaled into the lungs.

Asbestos occurs naturally as a fiber; individual fibers are so small they are invisible to the naked eye. Most asbestos is not hazardous in its original, undisturbed state; only when it is disturbed does it release asbestos fibers.

Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not occur soon after exposure. Those who are sick today because of asbestos may have been exposed 20 to 40 years ago. Controlling exposures now will prevent disease and suffering decades later.