October 13th, 2007

A county courthouse was given a clean bill of health after deadly asbestos was removed from it. The asbestos was found in the basement when the courthouse was scheduled for an electrical update.

During upgrades to the electrical system for the Hayes County Courthouse in Nebraska, exposed asbestos was found in the basement covering much of the old wiring and piping. The courthouse had to be sealed off, and employees had to be moved to another location while the asbestos was removed. The basement was sealed from the rest of the building and the asbestos was safely removed and disposed of. Safety boards checked the courthouse this week and declared it clean and safe to occupy.

The entire disturbance occurred since asbestos can be deadly when it is disturbed. The courthouse had to be sealed before the substance was removed, since asbestos can break into airborne particles. Breathing in asbestos particles can lead to emphysema, asbestosis and mesothelioma, each one a deadly respiratory disease that can be linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma, one of the deadliest asbestos-related diseases, can lay dormant for decades, only to be terminal at the time of detection. Safety officials say there was little chance of exposure, since the building was sealed immediately after the asbestos was found.