Skip to main content

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of soft and flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. Because of its resilience, industries in the past used it to insulate steam engines, turbines, boilers, ovens, and electrical generators. Asbestos was also blended into flooring, glues, and other materials. There are six types of asbestos, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous microscopic crystals, called "fibrils" that can be released easily into the environment. Due to the structure, mobility, and toxicity, (depending on the type) asbestos is considered a dangerous material, and is well recognized as a health hazard around the world. Asbestos can cause diseases, such as Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and a variety of cancers. Today, asbestos is highly regulated by OSHA, EPA and the state of Texas.

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) has adopted an Asbestos Management Plan to oversee and eliminate any remaining asbestos. The main principle of our policy is to remove any possible asbestos before construction activities begin.

EHS coordinates the University’s Asbestos Management Plan to ensure that asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are appropriately managed on campus to meet federal, state and local regulatory requirements with minimal impact to health and safety of the UHD Community.

EHS Asbestos Management Plan is designed to effectively manage and control known and potential asbestos-containing materials at the University to minimize exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.

EHS also provides general awareness training on asbestos with the information to identify work areas where asbestos may be present, understanding of the harmful effects of asbestos and methods to avoid asbestos exposure.

If you come across any materials that you suspect to be asbestos, or have questions or concerns about a renovation or asbestos remediation project on campus, please submit your inquiry to ehs@uhd.edu.