Date: Fri 20-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Library-lead-asbestos-Booth

Full Text:

Town Seeks Firm To Test Library For Asbestos

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

In response to a letter from the Department of Public Health, the town is

interviewing firms to survey the Cyrenius Booth Library building for asbestos

and lead materials. Although tests may be completed by the end of next week,

construction workers will not be permitted back inside the building until the

site is clean of dust and any hazardous materials that might be found.

"We want to clearly establish a baseline, or establish that there really is no

problem," said Public Works Director Fred Hurley, who is coordinating the

survey for the town. Mr Hurley and Health District Director Mark Cooper, who

both have experience in asbestos and lead abatement, are working closely

together to identify and remedy any concerns at the location.

On September 11, William Stapleton, an environmental sanitarian with the

state's Indoor Air Program, sent a letter delineating the requirements of the

Department of Public Health "after suspect asbestos-containing materials were

disturbed by an unlicensed asbestos abatement contractor during either

demolition or renovation activities at the referenced facility." After a

complaint was filed by one of the workers at the site, the sanitarian made two

visits to the library.

The requirements outlined in the letter include:

Hire a licensed asbestos inspector to survey completely before proceeding with

the renovation. Materials in the survey will include glue dabs, all ceiling

tiles, roof flashing, built-up roofing, plaster ceilings, plaster walls,

mastic under cork flooring, and other materials found at the site.

If asbestos-containing materials are found, hire a licensed project designer

to determine the extent of contamination and write the steps a licensed

asbestos abatement contractor will have to take to completely clean the

contaminated area.

The asbestos project designer will need to coordinate the remaining work in

the building, including the attic and roofing. This involves the

jack-hammering of the attic floor located below spray-on asbestos sound

insulation and roofing removal or replacement located above spray-on asbestos

sound insulation.

Hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to completely clean the interior

of the library containing asbestos debris and construction debris as

warranted. If construction debris contains asbestos, the piles of construction

debris used to fill the gully along the southeast side of the property will

need to be cleaned thoroughly.

Conduct post-abatement re-occupancy air clearance sampling after cleaning the

interior structure.

"Mark and I both have young children," said Mr Hurley. "Our attitude is pretty

straight forward: When this job is done, we want to know that the building is

safe for our children to go into it. It's that simple. And I think people need

to know that."

First Selectman Bob Cascella said after cleaning the interior of the library,

the furniture and equipment will be moved to a construction trailer so

tradesmen can more easily complete their work. The project is behind schedule

at the moment, but not so much so that it's impossible to catch up, he said.