Library to be inspected for airborne pollutants

Published: Thursday, February 1, 1996

University Research facility safety codes under scrutiny

By Jennifer Louie

Daily Bruin Contributor

When the University Research Library sustained damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake and asbestos was discovered in the ceiling tiles, library administrators removed the hazardous mineral and began making improvements in order to comply with health regulations.

Now, as the process of asbestos removal nears completion, library officials are confronted once again with health and safety codes. The Department of Industrial Relations, a division of the state's occupational safety and health agency, is requiring an inspection of the library for exposure to harmful concentrations of airborne contaminants.

The inspection has been mandated in response to a complaint from James Soorani, a doctor at the Washington Eye Clinic in Culver City.

Soorani alleged that visitors and employees are being exposed to excessive dust and glass fibers from uncovered ceilings within the library, which are yet to be replaced.

"A tiny piece of fiberglass can release billions of particles of tiny pieces of glass that stick to the inner lining of the lungs and cause chronic bronchitis," Soorani explained.

Soorani said his concern lies with the library's employees and students who visit it regularly.

Soorani explained that his concern arose from his own exposure to mineral wool, which he believes is similar in content to fiberglass. Soorani claimed that exposure to the substance - through an air duct in his office - caused him to become an invalid and lose hair.

In addition, Soorani claimed that a study of Japanese airline employees working with fine fiberglass later showed an increased incidence of lung cancer among the employees.

But Soorani's claim that fiberglass is hazardous met with contention from doctors and experts.

"The greatest potential of exposed fiberglass is skin irritation and possibly throat irritation," said Joe Raab, industrial hygiene manager for UCLA's environmental health and safety office. Raab said he is not very concerned about the fiberglass because it is in blanket form and very good condition.

Others shared in Raab's confidence in the harmlessness of the fiberglass.

"Fiberglass at high concentrations can be particularly irritating, said Philip Harber, professor of occupational and environmental medicine.

"However, any dust at high concentrations can cause coughing, though it is benign," Harber explained.

Fiberglass is not listed by any industrial hygiene book as causing bronchitis, added Rick Greenwood, director of UCLA's environmental health and safety office.

Although Soorani said he is aware that there are no regulations pertaining to fiberglass, he is adamant that the fiberglass in the library poses a health risk to those who frequently visit the facility.

The industrial relations department has not yet determined whether the alleged hazards exist; it is only taking precautionary measures by requiring employers of the research library to monitor the work environment, so that the exposures to the employees can be measured or calculated. The library staff will then notify the division of the results of the inspection within one week.

Raab said he expects the replacement of the ceiling tiles to be complete within the next month.

FRED HE/Daily Bruin

The University Research Library ceiling may be releasing harmful contaminants.

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