November 9th, 2007

A Nebraska courthouse had the basement sealed off this week after asbestos was disturbed during renovations. While electrical updates were being done, asbestos was exposed to the rest of the building.

When commissioners in a Nebraska town decided that it was time to update the electricity in their courthouse, they did not realize that the work would lead to emergency sealing of the basement. As pipes were removed to make way for updated systems, replacing the original pipe structure from 1954, asbestos insulation was found and the work came to a halt. The basement was sealed off, and the asbestos was sitting exposed, waiting to be safely removed.

Abatement, or the safe removal of asbestos, needs to be handled by a licensed professional in order to make the process secure. Asbestos can break apart and become airborne if it is mishandled, allowing the particles of the material to be inhaled. Inhaling asbestos particles can lead to many types of respiratory illnesses, including emphysema and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of aggressive cancer that results from breathing in asbestos particles, which become stuck in the lungs. Though workers who conducted the initial removal did not have safety gear, officials stated that no one was at risk since the problem was addressed immediately.