October 21st, 2007

A new library, senior center and Head Start facility will have to wait for its building until demolition is complete on the current, old library. Demolition was stopped when a routine check revealed the building contains asbestos.

People looking forward to the new Town ‘N Country Commons in Tampa, Florida will have to wait a little longer. Construction on the new library and centers was halted when the old library occupying the lot was found to contain asbestos. The routine check took place prior to demolition of the old building, and skewed the April 1st start date of demolition. Further testing showed that the type of asbestos in the building is not a form that needs to have abatement performed.

Asbestos that holds its form under pressure can be removed with only a wet removal, where asbestos is hosed down while demolition is taking place. Asbestos that fragments easily must undergo abatement, which is a much more involved and expensive process. If asbestos breaks apart, particles can become airborne and can be inhaled into the body. Asbestos particles can become lodged in the lungs, keeping them from absorbing oxygen and leading to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that is directly linked to asbestos exposure, and can be terminal at the time of detection.