A large construction project inside the University of Rochester Medical Center has been halted after tests came up positive for asbestos at many sites throughout the facility, causing concern about whether or not anyone was exposed to the toxic mineral.

Now, reports a story aired on Your News Now Rochester, the New York State Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have stepped in to investigate, noting the belief that construction workers may have suffered exposure while on-the-job at the medical center, where renovations are taking place inside the former Blood and Bone Marrow Wing.

“Asbestos chemicals chrysotile and anthophyllite were discovered in drywall, caulk, spackle, cement and fire stop materials,” the story reports. “Amounts ranged from as little as two percent to as much as 12 percent of bulk samples.” According to state guidelines, any amount more than one percent is considered hazardous and must be removed.

Asbestos was apparently disturbed during demolition work and, hence, dust may have become airborne. However, the University says that air quality tests performed two days after the second potential exposure turned up negative. But construction workers on the project say the testing was done much too late to determine whether or not the asbestos had permeated the air.

“We just don’t want to see this get pushed under the rug,” said one worker, who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s affected a lot of local construction workers.”

The University reported that they rely heavily on assumptions as well as historical records when it comes to identifying spots that most likely contain asbestos. However, they hadn’t accounted for the fact that the drywall contained the toxic material, so workers began using saws and hammers to tear it out. It was at that point that safety officials detected a “strange material” coating the duct work and drywall joints. Some similar materials had already been removed and placed in dumpsters and later tested positive for asbestos as well.

“I believe it was a surprise,” says Jose Fernandez, the University’s Director of Campus Planning, Design & Construction. “We have always acted as if there was no asbestos material in there.”

The University has now issued an apology to construction workers who may have suffered asbestos exposure while working on the renovation job. They also maintain that no one else in the hospital, including patients, should have been affected by the error.

But workers say more must be done to placate those who may have been placed in danger. “If… they actually acknowledge that the amount of exposure is significant, and do not deny it, that would definitely help,” said one anonymous worker.

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