Story posted Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Asbestos Removed From Fire Station
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Some Niles firefighters were not happy when they found a hazardous materials scare in their own fire station earlier this month.
Witnesses allege a 30-gallon garbage can full of broken asbestos tiles was removed from a Niles fire station earlier this month. How it was disposed of is not known.
An official report on the incident found no traces of asbestos after the incident. Village officials say the amount of asbestos in tiles is minimal.
While Niles Public Works crews were removing old carpeting from a basement room in Niles Fire Station No. 2 at Cumberland Ave. and Dempster St. earlier this month, they uncovered what were later discovered to be asbestos tiles and, according to witnesses, broke up some of those tiles along the edge of the room with hammers causing dust to become airborne.
Firefighters recognized the tiles as containing asbestos and found Fire Chief Barry Mueller who ordered workmen to stop. The room was closed, but not before witnesses said the 30-gallon trashcan filled with tiles left the building.
Testing by the environmental firm of Axis Response Group (ARG) later determined no traces of asbestos present in the basement room and adjacent halls. Old tiles were covered with new vinyl tiles, sealing the floor.
Asbestos tiles are common in old buildings like the fire station constructed in the 1960's. When asbestos tiles are intact they are harmless. If asbestos dust becomes airborne it is hazardous.
Witnesses said workmen removing wooden strips tacked into the tile to prevent carpeting from slipping broke up the tiles with hammers and used the fire station's brooms and mops to clean up dust and broken tiles without any protections.
Once testing confirmed tiles contained asbestos, Mueller said he contacted an environmental testing company that used fans to kick up any asbestos particles and then tested the air over a four-hour period.
"I tried to keep people informed working on shift (at the fire house)," said Mueller. "I live there too."
A report on the incident from ARG said doors and vent shafts were covered to trap any dust to the room and hallways were also tested. Those tests found no asbestos. Witnesses said the vents to the rest of the building were not covered.
Mueller said he reported the incident first to Eddie Fallon in the Niles Public Works Dept. and later to Assistant Village Manager Steve Vinezeano, once the incident was resolved.
When the Journal & Topics Newspapers contacted Acting Mayor Robert Callero about the incident one week later we was not aware of it, though once informed he very quickly confirmed the incident and provided information.
Vinezeano said Mueller told him and there was no cause for alarm so he considered the matter concluded.
Village Manager George Van Geem was out of town when the event occurred and supplied the Journal & Topics with ARG's report.
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