At Kentucky’s University of Louisville, recent facility renovations revealed asbestos which resulted in a hefty fine for the university.

When the University of Louisville set out to renovate its Natural Sciences Building, it may not have undergone correct procedures to check for asbestos risks.

Allegedly, the university performed an asbestos survey to remove parts of the building during renovations. Asbestos was not found and therefore the university saw no risk of asbestos cancer exposure.

But, the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) claims that when the university ordered the removal of the building’s drop ceilings, it disturbed asbestos pipe insulation. They say that workers who were not properly trained on handling asbestos improperly removed these contaminated materials.

This improper removal brought about the risk of asbestos cancer exposure, according to the APCD.

The university claims otherwise. After an asbestos abatement permit application was sent to the Metro Air Pollution Control District, a contractor noted glue dots on the ceilings. According to a spokesman from the University of Louisville, the glue dots were not noted in the application.

This omission incurred a fine of $5,425 for the university.

The university maintains that “there was no release of any asbestos-containing material to the environment.” The spokesperson said, “It was a simple paperwork error. An inspection was conducted by the Air Pollution Control District, and work was allowed to proceed.”

Metro Air Pollution Control District notes that it was indeed a minor infraction, but that the University of Louisville did not follow proper procedures to protect workers from asbestos cancer exposure.

A spokesperson from the APCD said, “They had said to us they had done their due diligence. But as it turns out – and we’re not alleging any wrongdoing, it could’ve just been an oversight – but essentially that they took out ceiling and they realized there was asbestos behind the ceiling.”

The permit was issued on July 30, 2015, and the work was stopped by late August of that same year.

The APCD spokesperson said that asbestos isn’t an issue and isn’t a risk for asbestos cancer exposure unless it is disturbed or released into the environment. But the survey conducted by the APCD found 30 feet of asbestos insulation with uncovered pipes extending into classrooms.

Asbestos Cancer Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was found to be very useful in a variety of products in the early part of the last century. During the Industrial Revolution it became a popular material used in fireproof and heat-resistant products.

Because of this quality, asbestos found a place in military construction acting as an insulator for high-temperature applications. Many naval yards used asbestos as a fireproof insulator for ships, especially during World War II.

But even at the beginning of its popular use, medical research saw a connection between asbestos exposure and health problems.

Asbestos cancer exposure is a concern for those who have worked around asbestos.  It is linked to lung diseases, like asbestosis, a disease similar to emphysema or COPD, and lung cancer.

As asbestos cancer exposure and health concerns continued to rise, the U.S. began to phase out asbestos use and by the 1980s it became banned.

Asbestos is still inside older buildings still in use, however it may not be used in new construction. When an older building is renovated, proper procedures must be followed to reduce risks of asbestos cancer exposure.