Evacuation At Courthouse Through Asbestos Scare -- MesoLink.org -- 10-12-05

Concerns about the possibility of asbestos contamination in the air resulted in the evacuation of about 100 employees from a courthouse in Monterey County. Part of the courthouse in Salinas was evacuated on Friday. Concerns were raised after electrical contractors cut into some of the sheeting that covered the ceiling at the courthouse. Some hours later, the decision was made to evacuate that part of the building as a safety precaution.

Air monitoring tests were carried out after the incident, and no asbestos contamination was detected. However, further testing has been arranged, and providing this also shows no presence of asbestos the courthouse is expected to re-open for business as usual at the beginning of the week. In the meantime, court proceedings have been moved to another part of the building.

Electrical workers started installing safety lighting when the incident took place. A spokesperson for the courthouse stated that the contractors had been told not to go into areas that had a high risk of asbestos presence.

Renovation workers were also working in the building during that period, and they ordered the electrical contractors out after spotting them working in the area where the sheeting had been cut. An expert was then brought in with protective clothing on in order to determine whether the asbestos had been disturbed.