News From Terre Haute, Indiana

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What is asbestos?

• Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant because of its fiber strength and heat-resistant properties.
• When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.
Source: EPA

Asbestos removal highly regulated

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Air Quality regulates the removal of asbestos-containing material from commercial, industrial and institutional structures, including schools.
It can inspect facilities undergoing asbestos removal and it is responsible for the licensing of asbestos-removal professionals.
In a situation involving asbestos removal in a school, IDEM must receive a demolition/renovation application and the company that does the work must be licensed in asbestos removal, said Rob Elstro, IDEM spokesman.
Prior to the work, there must be an inspection by an Indiana-licensed asbestos inspector.
Those doing the removal must use certain personal protective equipment and must  remove it in a way that minimizes exposure of asbestos to the area.
According to the IDEM web site, “Asbestos is a problem because, as a toxic substance and a known carcinogen, it can cause several serious diseases in humans. Symptoms of these diseases typically develop over a period of years following asbestos exposure.
“Asbestos-containing materials in buildings do not always pose a hazard to occupants and workers in those buildings. Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. They may become hazardous and pose increased risk when they are damaged, are disturbed in some manner, or deteriorate over time and thus release asbestos fibers into building air.”

Related Photos

  • Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza For better sound: One of the acoustic ceiling panels in the Terre Haute North auditorium.

    MET 100412 THN PANELS.jpg

  • Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza For better sound: One of the acoustic ceiling panels in the Terre Haute North auditorium.

    MET 100412 THN PANEL DETAI.jpg

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October 5, 2012

Asbestos removal will close South Vigo building over fall break

Auditorium ceiling sound panel to be removed

Sue Loughlin The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — The Terre Haute South Vigo High School auditorium has been closed for about 1 1⁄2 weeks and will remain closed until after an asbestos-containing acoustical ceiling is removed over fall break, Superintendent Dan Tanoos confirmed Thursday.

Late last month, a small piece of the  acoustical ceiling in the auditorium fell in the seating area and the auditorium was closed off. The piece that fell was sent away for testing and it did contain asbestos.

The school community was notified, and parents were contacted last week by automated telephone message. Also, Principal Chris Mauk notified leaders of booster clubs and parent groups, Tanoos said.

An Indianapolis company, Micro Air Inc., did air quality testing at South, North Vigo and West Vigo high schools; testing showed no asbestos in the air. “At no time has there been any risk with anyone’s health,” Tanoos said.

Over fall break, which is Oct. 12-15, Terre Haute South will be closed and a company will remove the auditorium acoustical ceiling. The company is EMS (Environmental Management Services) located near Fort Wayne.

The South Vigo football game scheduled for Oct. 12, which is senior night, will remain at South, but no one will be allowed inside the high school building, Tanoos said. “I don’t want anyone to feel any possible exposure could take place,” he said.

Because North Vigo was built at the same time and the two high school buildings are similar, the district anticipates removing the acoustical ceiling from that auditorium, as well. That work would likely be done next summer.

Because asbestos is involved, the district must adhere to strict environmental regulations, Tanoos said. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management  Office of Air Quality regulates the removal of asbestos-containing materials from commercial, industrial and institutional structures.

While many older buildings, in general, may have been built with asbestos-containing materials, asbestos “doesn’t become an issue until it is exposed,” Tanoos said.

He estimated the cost to remove the auditorium ceiling at South will run about $80,000, to be funded out of the capital projects budget.

Both Terre Haute South Vigo and North Vigo high schools opened in 1971 and “are  starting to show their age,” Tanoos said. “In  my opinion, there will be a need for a future, significant upgrades to both high schools due to the age of the buildings.”

Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.

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