Under wraps: Parts of the new library complex are covered up so
construction can continue as winter comes around the corner.
Investigation discovers
asbestos
Loretta Russ
The Collegian
A program to investigate the
presence of asbestos fibers in
campus buildings has turned up
the cancer-causing fiber in a
material used in the ceiling of the
library.
Administrators, though, said
the material in the ceiling poses
no threat to students or staff
using the library.
John Ream, director of
operations at Behrend, said "The
library was just tested last year
and samples are taken periodically
to make sure the situation has
not changed."
So far, examiners do not see a
threat from the ceiling material
and are continually monitoring
the library for any change in air
quality.
A change in the air quality
could be an indicator that there is
a higher level of asbestos in the
air than government regulations
First snow
library ceiling
Ream said the only time
problems could arise are when the
surface of the library ceiling is
disturbed. In that case there is a
possibility that asbestos fibers
could be released into the air.
"The only danger to
anyone using the
library would be in
a situation where
someone would
knock down
(ceiling) chunks
from the ceiling."
John Ream,
Director of Operations
"The only danger to anyone
using the library would be in a
situation where someone would
knock (ceiling) chunks down
from the ceiling," he said.
To avoid that problem, the
library's new lighting system was
installed on the floor, "which
eliminates the problem of
someone damaging the ceiling
when changing light bulbs," said
Ream.
When the library is moved to
the new building Ream said Penn
State will look into a project to
address the process of removing
the asbestos from the ceiling.
In related news, Ream said the
new library's foundation is
almost complete and basement
walls are going up. Also,
workers are preparing to run the
permanent electricity to the
building.