More asbestos delays demolition of old Wahlquist Junior High Page 2 of 4 Workers have been dealing with asbestos abatement related to floor tiles and pipe insulation on the west side of the retired school building. However, after asbestos was found in another 16,000 square feet of the structure, demolition could take more time and money than expected. "After the asbestos abatement contractors started to work in there, it was discovered that in the current cafeteria and stage area, and several hallways and classrooms, there was a layer of asbestos-containing tile," said Dale Pfister, executive director of facilities and operations for Weber School District. Pfister said the tile in question was covered up by a layer of drywall applied years ago, and workers discovered it over the winter break. While it's been there for years, the asbestos was never a health risk to students, Pfister said. "Asbestos only becomes dangerous if it's disturbed, and there were never any children there when that took place," he said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website (http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/ciocuments/asbestosfaqs Q.pdf) says asbestos that's in good condition and left undisturbed isn't likely to create health risks. It's when asbestos-containing material is disturbed by maintenance work or deterioration that it can enter the air and be inhaled, which can lead to an increased risk of mesothelioma, iung cancer and other lung conditions, The Mesothelioma Center's website savs (http://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/schools.phpT fhttp://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/schools.php1 And asbestos is certainly disturbed when a building containing it is demolished. "You can't just haul it off to a landfill," said Pfister, adding that the asbestos can't be separated from the heavy drywall, and the extra weight will also add to costs. "We're investigating the cost to the change order they gave us — it was pretty significant, at $128,000." The original lump sum bid for demolition of the structure, submitted by Grant Mackay Co., was for $349,948. That bid included the originally known asbestos removal. While the district decides if $128,000 is the best price it can get for the additional asbestos removal, work continues and is expected to be finished soon on the original abatement area. http://www.standard.net/Education/2016/01/12/More-asbestos-delays-demolition-of-old-Wa... 9/8/2016