January 21st, 2008

Asbestos that was found in an Arkansas courthouse was removed earlier this year, and most people forgot about the issue. But a few employees of the building are concerned that asbestos is still present.

An Arkansas courthouse that underwent asbestos abatement earlier this year is now coming under fire again as anonymous tips are stating that asbestos is still in the building. Officials say that the testing scheduled last month was a routine follow up, and was not a result of complaints that asbestos remained in the building. Building management also stated that the only asbestos still within the building is in the boiler room, and that room has been locked until abatement can be conducted.

The concern over the presence of asbestos is a real one. Asbestos exposure has been linked to respiratory illnesses like emphysema and mesothelioma. A form of deadly lung cancer, mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled and become stuck in the lungs. Asbestos related diseases can take years to be diagnosed, and some, like mesothelioma, are untreatable. Though no one was reported to have been exposed to the asbestos, if the material remains in the building, the risk of exposure increases.