By Kyeland Jackson —
The university will pay $5,425 after breaking code in renovating the Natural Sciences Building last summer.
First reported by WDRB.com, the Metro Air Pollution Control District cited asbestos concerns in the building. The APCD said removing the building’s drop ceilings disturbed asbestos pipe insulation, workers improperly removed these contaminated materials and they were not trained on handling asbestos.
U of L spokesperson John Karman said the infraction was from a paperwork error.
“There was no release of any asbestos-containing material to the environment,” Karman said. “It was a simple paperwork error. An inspection was conducted by the Air Pollution Control District, and work was allowed to proceed.
Karman said the university performed an asbestos survey to remove parts of the building, finding no asbestos in the walls. After an asbestos abatement permit application was sent to the district, an abatement contractor noted glue dots on the ceilings and stopped operations. The glue dots were not noted in the permit application, incurring the fine.
APCD spokesperson Thomas Nord said it was a minor infraction. He said U of L did not follow proper procedures and was therefore fined.
“They had said to us they had done their due diligence. But as it turns out – and we’re not alleging any wrongdoing, it could’ve just been an oversight – but essentially that they took out ceiling and they realized there was asbestos behind the ceiling,” Nord said. The fine says the permit was issued July 30, 2015 and work was halted by APCD Aug. 26.
Nord said asbestos is not dangerous until it corrodes or is released into the environment. While asbestos is a danger for workers, part of APCD’s survey found 30 feet of insulation containing asbestos with uncovered pipes extending into classrooms.
A follow-up survey found U of L in compliance and cleared construction to continue days later.
This story will be updated. Read the full infraction agreement here.
Photo by Mallory Siegenthaler / The Louisville Cardinal
