SITKA, Alaska (AP) - Sitka’s Harrigan Centennial Hall has reopened after an asbestos scare.
The gray insulation substance that raised workers’ concerns tested negative for asbestos in a Washington state lab, KCAW-FM reports (https://bit.ly/1PYLjEC ).
The building reopened Wednesday afternoon after an emergency closure on Tuesday.
“As of right now we are open for business. Business as usual,” said building manager Don Kluting.
Kluting said staff discovered the material while cleaning out the building. It spilled out of a fire-rated, vintage door from the 1966 construction.
They weren’t sure what the gray, fibrous material was, so they sent it to the lab for testing.
“The insulation in between the two laminates fell out and it was a gray material that had some fibers in it,” Kluting explained.
“We had the discussion: ’What is this? Do we know its asbestos? Do we know that it’s not asbestos?’”
Asbestos is only hazardous when airborne and can be difficult to detect. Centennial Hall tested negative for the material in 2012, but it still could have been lurking beneath the walls.
“Going forth in the project, we do know that we have some asbestos within the building, like the joint compound and the sheet rock has a little bit,” said Kluting.
“That’s going to have to be handled by the contractor. But from here on out, there should be no surprises.”
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Information from: KCAW-FM, https://www.kcaw.org
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