May 7th, 2007

According to recent reports there could be asbestos present in the Atlanta Police headquarters. Tests are currently being carried out into suspected asbestos that has been found wrapped around piping in the building, and officer and other staff will now have to wait to find out whether the floor where the suspected asbestos was found is actually safe to work in.

A maintenance employee, who was looking for ants and had to lift a ceiling tile, found the suspected asbestos on the seventh floor of City Hall East. Apparently he found what appears to be asbestos, and tried to cut it off. This caused debris to fall to the floor and dust to become airborne. Exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fibers can cause cancer as well as resulting in a variety of other health problems.

The seventh floor is the location of the Criminal Investigations division amongst others. Four members of staff had to be taken for medical check ups following the incident, and staff must now wait to find out whether there is any danger once the testing process is complete.

Staff that were located on the seventh floor of the building, which was once used as a warehouse, have now been relocated to another part of City Hall until testing has been carried out.