Asbestos Discovered During Library Renovations

During renovations to the The Union Township Library in New Jersey, workers found asbestos in the building. The asbestos is likely to delay the renovation project, as the asbestos will need to be removed before ongoing renovations to the heating and air conditioning units can continue.

The library is housed in a building over 50 years old, and renovations to the heating and cooling system are needed because of flaws in the system. The heating and cooling system were often in need of repair.

A $450,000 upgrade to the library’s outdated chiller, cooling tower and electrical system began in October, but the project has slowed since asbestos was found in pipe insulation.

Asbestos testing was completed prior to the start of the project by an environmental engineering firm.
The firm found some of the deadly substance in the building and it was removed.

As workers prepare to complete a few additional mechanical upgrades, the engineering firm has found more asbestos in the insulation lining the piping in the basement mechanical room. Asbestos is also present in the heating and air conditioning units.

The asbestos has been declared non-friable, meaning it is less likely to break down into smaller pieces and become airborne. Airborne asbestos can be inhaled, leading to diseases such as pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos was once commonly added to materials such as tiles, roofing, pipe and furnace insulation materials, and even paint.

The township is currently accepting bids for the asbestos abatement. The winning bid will be selected on April 28th, and it is hoped the asbestos abatement will be completed by June 1st.