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Environmental Health and Safety

Asbestos and Lead

Asbestos

The department provides oversight for all asbestos related projects for the University. This includes the Division of Facilities, the Department of Housing and Dining Services, Athletics, the K-State Union, Hale Library, the Foundation Center, and outside contractors working on campus. This service is provided at cost to Facilities with nominal charges added to all other departments. The services that are provided include bulk samples (polarized light microscopy analysis) for each job, inspection for the location of asbestos (visual) and air quality (phase contrast microscopy analysis).

An Asbestos Data-Base has been established using all of the bulk sampling performed at the University. There are well over 16,000 documented building materials tested for asbestos thus far. Clearance air sampling is performed on all friable asbestos projects to ensure that the area where the asbestos was removed is safe for re-occupancy.

Negative exposure assessments are performed on a regular basis for all types of asbestos related work, friable as well as non-friable work. This also ensures the Department of Environmental Health and Safety that University asbestos workers as well as the asbestos contractors continue good quality asbestos removal procedures.

Procedure for handling asbestos

Lead

Some of the buildings on campus have been painted with lead paint. The EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting program is required for individuals working on campus. The Department of Environmental Health & Safety tests surface coatings for lead.