Asbestos From Airport Makeover Isn’t Harmful To Travelers

Tri-Cities Regional Airport officials say it is safe for travelers to use the terminal building although recent tests found the presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials.

“We’ve got some things that we’ve got to take care of,“ airport spokeswoman Melissa Thomas said Wednesday, adding the airport will remove the contaminated materials without disturbing customers or placing them at risk.

Asbestos was used as a flame-retardant insulation in buildings until the mid-1980s when it was banned because of serious illnesses resulting from inhaling the fibers.

Thomas said airport staff discovered the asbestos while working on a cosmetic building improvement project that involves replacing the terminal’s roof, painting its walls and upgrading its fire alarm systems.

She said materials containing asbestos were found in various parts of the building – some of which date back to the 1930s – but in all cases were contained behind other safe building materials.

“The good news is that there was no imminent danger of an asbestos fiber release,“ Thomas said, adding the general public was not exposed to asbestos at any time.

Thomas said the airport will bring in certified asbestos removal technicians to take care of the problem as it moves forward with its renovation project.

She said the work would be done in a manner to not disrupt travellers, though some people who work in the airport may have to leave their offices while the material is removed.

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