Asbestos-contaminated dirt being removed near Old Main

Certified asbestos workers began setting up Tuesday to remove and safely dispose of contaminated dirt on the Western Washington University campus.

Excavation for the new water pipe was obstructed by an underground 1920's clay pipe, which was discovered to contain abandoned steam and condensate piping covered with asbestos-containing insulation. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber widely used in building construction and other industries.

Workers have tented over and sealed the work area. Negative air machines with HEPA filters and air monitoring will ensure the safety of passersby. Detour signs indicating accessible routes are placed around the site. The contaminated materials will be bagged, moved to a large storage container set up in the parking lot at the end of each workday and disposed of as contaminated waste. Workers are working 12 hour shifts until the project is complete. A target for completion has been set for 6 p.m. Sunday, July 29.

Workers are continuing to construct roughly 1,600 feet of 8‐inch and 12‐inch water lines to replace the aging 6‐inch water main which runs through the core of central campus. The project scope of work also includes the replacement of fire hydrants and the building service connections and water meters. The new 12‐inch water main and fire hydrants will become part of the City of Bellingham's water system at project completion.

Most asbestos is immobilized in binding materials that do not release asbestos fibers into the air so where found intact, the clay pipe was removed from the new pipe trench by using approved measures to encapsulate all open ends. Where the clay pipe was damaged, the site was closely monitored by a third-party consulting firm specializing in asbestos safety.

Unlike previous excavation, pieces of clay piping were found in the excavated dirt in the Rose Garden between Old Main and the Humanities Building. The dirt was tested and found positive for asbestos at greater than 1-percent concentration on Friday, July 13.

The ongoing health and safety of students, employees and visitors of all ages are preeminent in handling asbestos-related materials.

For more information, contact Sandy Fugami, project manager for Facilities Development and Capital Budget, at (360) 650-2230 or sandy.fugami@wwu.edu, or Gayle Shipley, director of Environmental Health & Safety, at (360) 650-6512 or gayle.shipley@wwu.edu.