County to Remove Asbestos from the Mexico DSS Building
Pulaski â?? Oswego County has decided to hire Tetra Tech Architects & Engineers for an asbestos abatement project. Asbestos-containing tiles at the Mexico DSS (Department of Social Service) building will be removed. The decision was approved by the legislators on Thursday. They have also increased the capital funding for the asbestos abatement project from US$30000 to 100000.
The initial asbestos survey and the agreement with the abatement contractor will be covered by the US$100,000. The cancer-causing mineral was originally found in the Mexico DSS building in early 2012, after a staff member asked Oswego County whether they had ever tested the tiles.
The levels of asbestos are somewhat higher than the federally accepted levels, said Phil Church, the administrator. Air sampling tests indicated that t he region was absolutely safe for working. However, each time the tiles were shifted for accessing cables, telephone cables, and environmental management systems, the risk of asbestos fibers to become airborne increased. When it becomes airborne, asbestos can be dangerous. Whoever inhale those tiny fibers are at risk of developing fatal asbestos-related diseases including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos is not so dangerous as long as it remains stable. Release of asbestos fibers into the air and subsequent dangers occur only when the material is broken or disturbed.
Congressmen will finally say regarding the amount spent on the asbestos abatement. However, alterations inside the structure can also be a part of the abatement project. Officials said on Thursday that the county will be reimbursed 75% of the abatement expenses by the state.
Though the county has taken a decision on asbestos abateme nt project, it has many other decisions that are still pending. Tetra Tech will invite bids for sub-contracting. The bids are supposed to reach in September.
The complete expense of the asbestos abatement will be known only after seeing the bids. However, Church guesses the expense could be between $600,000 and $800,000.
Because of worries that the asbestos removal and remodeling could cost $1 million, Congressperson Louella LeClair voted against the decrees in a meeting of the Finance & Personal and the Infrastructure & Facilities committees. However, later she supported the resolution once it has been explained that the legislators will have the last say.
â??I feel it is really important that the asbestos is removed. No doubt, that must be done. The other issues should be watched more closely,â? Louella LeClair said.
