The Runner Staff
Traces of toxic asbestos fibers were found in CSU Bakersfield’s University Grill building, setting off alarms for students and faculty concerned about the safety of the buildings they enter.
“The asbestos that is within old student housing is from material used in the 1970s from all construction projects,” said Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management Patrick Jacobs. “As long as it is not disturbed, it is legal and an acceptable material to have within a building.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is “a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads.” They are used for “strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption.”
“As we go through and renovate the old student housing, anywhere that we would disturb that asbestos we are going in and removing with a certified asbestos either our in-house staff or outside third-part contractors doing that,” said Jacobs.
He said as long as it is contained and not exposed they will be leaving the asbestos alone. If it is exposed, they will be removing it.
Daniella Rodriguez, who lives on campus, said that the majority of the buildings on campus are old, and she does not want someone’s life to be jeopardized.
“I saw the building taped up and wondered what other buildings might be vulnerable,” said Rodriguez.
According to Jacobs, on the first floor of student housing west, there will be grant programs, international students center, various centers and institutes and Gender Equity Multicultural Center. The second and third floors will be used for student housing.
In the late 1970s, “the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces because the asbestos fibers in these products could be released into the environment during use.”
The fibers can then get trapped in the lungs and cause health problems. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified asbestos as a carcinogen.
Individuals must be notified of the existence of asbestos in buildings constructed prior to 1979.
CSUB has an Asbestos Management Plan that provides procedures for asbestos work and faculty and student protection.
Licensed professionals conduct building material surveys, coordinate and supervise asbestos construction activities, perform air monitoring, provide training and remove limited amounts of asbestos containing materials.
“Classroom buildings hardly get cleaned. I would not be surprised if something else is lingering around,” said Leonardo Barajas, a criminal justice major.
“I just assume the worst,” said Barajas. “You never know what you will encounter. We must stay informed, and I am glad the issue is being taken care of.”
