The renovation of the Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh will remove the asbestos that has been in the building since its construction in 1968, according to an article on The Pitt News website.
The renovations, which Pitt Director of Environmental Health and Safety Jay Frerotte said isn’t because of the asbestos, may take up to five years to complete.
State regulations forced the university to address asbestos in its 10-year facilities plan and before beginning renovations on the library.
Intact asbestos materials can be disturbed when fibers fly into the air during construction, which can cause airborne exposure to asbestos, increasing an individual’s risk for lung cancer and mesothelioma. The library is obligated to carry out the proposed renovation floor by floor in order to treat the asbestos properly.
Certified professionals will carry out the asbestos removal at Hillman and will work behind protective plastic barriers to ensure that dust does not become airborne.
For more information on how the renovation will take place, click here.