Asbestos Safety At UAB

The following information has been compiled for the UAB community to inform our students, faculty, staff, and guests of the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in certain campus buildings.

UAB has a rigorous and rigorous asbestos monitoring, identification, containment and removal program to maintain safe working and living conditions. Strict policies and procedures are implemented and training is provided.

HOUSING SECURITY
Denman Hall is the only dormitory at UAB that has ACM (floor and ceiling only; UAB testing did not detect asbestos in Denman or other UAB wall systems). As a precaution, the ceilings of Denman Hall were treated with penetrant paint, which is a recommended safety method to block and seal the ACM and protect people from possible exposure. In addition, UAB's Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Department is aware of and regularly inspects buildings containing ACM. In addition, EH&S conducts thorough inspections and its staff is trained to resolve any issues. If necessary, the removal of AKM is carried out under the strict supervision of licensed specialists.

ACM appears to be a non-asbestos material, therefore asbestos cannot be identified with the naked eye and can only be determined through laboratory testing; A sample is sent for on-site testing to determine if the suspected material contains asbestos. Thanks to UAB's extensive asbestos abatement program, UAB is confident that Denman Hall is a safe environment; but EH&S experts are available if anyone has any concerns or questions about their room. Anyone who wants EH&S to confirm the security of their number should call 205-934-2487.

Students must know and obey the following rules as stated in the dormitory guidelines :

• Residents will report any damage to the Student House and Student House immediately.
• Residents cannot do repairs themselves or entrust the work to a third party or company.
• To hang things on the walls, you should only use small nails, removable glue or putty for wallpaper. Be careful when hanging things to avoid damaging walls and doors.
• Nothing should hang from the ceiling and/or fire fighting equipment.

ABOUT ASBESTOS
Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) - Any material containing more than 1% asbestos fibers commonly found in buildings constructed before 1981. Like many college campuses, ACM is housed in several UAB buildings.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "the mere presence of asbestos in a home or building is not dangerous" and "removal of these materials is not usually required unless the material is severely damaged or the building is damaged by demolition or a renovation project."

ACM, left whole and undamaged, does not pose a health hazard to people working or living in the buildings. Claudio Lungu, Ph.D., is the director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Health and Safety, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of Public Health. Workers who do not take precautions are at high risk of exposure to ACM.

"For example, workers who dig, cut or destroy ACM during the renovation or demolition of buildings should take appropriate precautions that are well documented and recognized by the industry," Lungu said. “Living near materials containing asbestos is not a cause for concern. Sweeping the ceiling or screwing something into the asbestos ceiling is unlikely to have an effect. Avoid activities such as drilling that may create dust or break the ACM.”

In accordance with the safety guidelines of the American Lung Association, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency;

“People with asbestosis are usually exposed to high levels of asbestos for long periods of time. Symptoms of these diseases usually appear about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos. Most people are exposed to small amounts of asbestos” that we all live with in our daily lives. We don't have such health problems in our life. However, when disturbed, asbestos material can release asbestos fibers that can be inhaled. light Fibers can remain there for a long time and, as a consequence, disease. Asbestos material that breaks easily when handled, or material that is sawn, scraped, or ground, can present a major health hazard.

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS.
UAB Environmental Health and Safety oversees asbestos safety and control on campus. Please direct any questions or concerns to EH&S at 205-934-2487.

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