NORTHRIDGE : District Says CSUN Mishandled Asbestos

Cal State Northridge violated the law when it released asbestos dust and had to evacuate more than 50 people from the largest building complex on campus last month, but a citation will not be issued, said officials with the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Instead, Lisha Smith, spokeswoman for AQMD, said CSUN will be issued a notice to comply--essentially, a reminder to obey the laws next time around.

CSUN maintenance workers were ripping up floor tiles in Sierra Hall South on campus July 30, when workers, who were wearing respirators, asked whether the tiles might contain the cancer-causing mineral asbestos. Subsequent testing revealed that the tiles did contain chrysotile, a form of asbestos, and the building was evacuated. Staff members were put on administrative leave until Aug. 4 while a contractor cleaned up the mess.

Removal of asbestos-tainted materials of more than 100 square feet in area requires notification of the AQMD and measures to avoid exposing people to asbestos dust. Violators can be fined a maximum of $50,000 per day, Smith said.

Although the university admitted to releasing asbestos, and dozens of people were witnesses to the problem, AQMD air toxics section chief Michael Czap said that because the agency’s investigators did not witness the violation firsthand, the case for issuing a citation was weak.

Czap said the levels of asbestos released are not likely to result in health problems for people who were in the building.