Asbestos Information
The term asbestos refers to a family of naturally occurring minerals. These minerals are mined in locations throughout the world including Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Asia. California was formerly a major producer of chrysotile asbestos, and the state rock, Serpentine, often contains asbestos.
Asbestos fibers are small, thin, strong, and resistant to heat and chemicals. These characteristics make asbestos ideal for use in many building materials, including thermal system insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials and surfacing compounds. California regulations define “asbestos-containing construction materials” (ACM) as any manufactured construction material, including structural, mechanical and building material, that contain more than one percent of asbestos by weight. These materials are again classified as either "friable" (crumbly) or "non-friable" (non-crumbly).
The mere presence of undisturbed and non-friable ACM in a building does not present a health hazard. However, exposure to airborne asbestos fibers has been known to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos is listed under Proposition 65 of the California Health and Safety Code Sections 25915-25924 as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.The university has abated the areas deemed to be a problem or when an asbestos disturbance is inevitable. Because some buildings on campus were built before the asbestos warning in the 1970s, asbestos was used in many of the products that made their way into these buildings, including floor and ceiling tiles, adhesives, drywall tapes, and roofing materials.
Cal State Monterey Bay continues to improve our campus and part of that improvement includes demolition and remodels. During this process, asbestos-related material may be disturbed or abated. CSUMB will continue to ensure the employees are safe during this process.
Resources
Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website on asbestos