Asbestos, a potentially dangerous fireproof material used for insulation, roofing and filters, was recently removed from an equipment room in the Pius XII Memorial Library.

Due to health risks, several students questioned the safety of such a removal in a public building.

“The only regulation for removal of asbestos is the Federal NESHAP (National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants),” explained Ronald Steinkamp, Chief of Enforcement for the City of St. Louis Division of Air Control. He added that this federal regulation is quite lenient compared to the state regulation, which is more strict. However, the state regulation was invalidated by a state judge.

When contacted about the issue, Chuck Smith, Assistant Vice-President of Facilities Services, was cooperative.

“We knew it was there,” Smith said. “Any building built prior to 1974 would have asbestos in it. We deal with it when we have to.”

Smith explained that some pipes had to be worked on; the asbestos surrounding them was to be removed.

J & S Asbestos, a licensed firm, was hired to remove the asbestos.

The health concerns regarding asbestos removal are varied. Exposure can result in asbestos is, a form of pneumonia caused by inhaling asbestos particles.

“Asbestos is only dangerous when it is friable-fibrous and loose,” Smith said.