Asbestos Concerns Addressed

A recent television newscast focused on the concerns of CCRI physical plant workers about asbestos exposure. Students, faculty and staff can be assured that the greater CCRI community is not now, nor has it ever been, at risk from asbestos exposure from this situation, say administrators.

Environmental testing has shown that some doors installed on the Warwick and Lincoln campuses in the '70s contain asbestos filler, a standard fire protection material for that time period. Asbestos encased inside such doors poses no environmental threat unless the filler material is exposed through breakage, drilling or repair work.

As part of CCRI’s response to the workers’ concerns, the college recently funded three air quality tests by an independent company that have shown either no presence of asbestos or trace amounts that are well below OSHA standards Also, a recent visit by the RI Dept. of Health found no problems with CCRI’s use or storage of these suspect doors.

Over the past two years, the college has replaced many older doors at both Warwick and Lincoln and will continue that process, immediately removing any doors that incur damage.

If you would like more information on asbestos exposure, please visit the National Institute of Health Web site (www.nih.gov) or the Rhode Island Department of Health’s site at www.health.ri.gov or pick up a fact sheet at the Office of Personnel, located on the third floor of the Knight Campus.