November 16th, 2007

The library at the University of Northern Colorado remained closed this week after students and faculty complained. A solution was used to remove deadly asbestos from the building, and apparently left heavy fumes in the treated areas.

School officials decided to keep the main library on the University of Northern Colorado campus closed this week after complaints were received. The building had previously been closed and sealed while asbestos was being removed. The removal included sealing off the building to contain the deadly material, as well as a solution that would help in the removal of asbestos containing floor tiles. The solution’s fume apparently soaked into the walls and floors, causing faculty and students alike to complain about the smell.

The solution was necessary in order to disturbed the hazardous substance as little as possible while it was being removed. When asbestos is disturbed it can break apart into airborne particles that can be breathed in. Asbestos exposure has been linked to emphysema and mesothelioma, a form of aggressive lung cancer. Proper precautions had to be taken while removing the floor tiles in order to minimize the danger of asbestos exposure, and the fumes should be gone within a week.