# Would you go to a college that had asbestos in its buildings **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533 "2014-05-29T03:40:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/1 "2014-05-29T03:40:46Z")
I was considering going to Cal State LA to take some classes towards my biochem degree. Someone on Yelp said that there is asbestos in Cal State’s buildings. I googled and realized that it was true. Supposedly asbestos is not a big deal on its own, but if they do any construction/renovations, which many colleges frequently do, it’s known to be potentially cancerous. I was just wondering if you would even consider going to a college if most of the buildings tested positive for asbestos. ??? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/2 "2014-05-29T03:42:51Z")
It’s safe as long as no one goes tearing apart the walls. I will assume they won’t have classes in a room that is undergoing renovation. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/3 "2014-05-29T03:46:19Z")
Does asbestos roofing (bonded in cement) really post a danger? I grew up in a housing project that used that (built in the 50s.) A lot of the houses are still occupied and cancer incidents haven’t been peculiar. But then, the Philippines between 50s and 80s had very low cancer incidents overall. ---
**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/4 "2014-05-29T03:47:11Z")
As long as no one messes with it, no big deal. Most old buildings have some form. A little bit in the sheet rock or floor tiles or something. The only kind that really worries me is asbestos insulation, as that is the pure stuff. And I am sure all that stuff either removed or buried very deep. ---
**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/5 "2014-05-29T03:57:22Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > Does asbestos roofing (bonded in cement) really post a danger? I grew up in a housing project that used that (built in the 50s.) A lot of the houses are still occupied and cancer incidents haven’t been peculiar. But then, the Philippines between 50s and 80s had very low cancer incidents overall. The best thing one could do to make raw asbestos safe is to mix it with cement, or rubber or some such. Once the fibers are bound up, not even grinder will ever free them up again. Not on the microscopic level. ---
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/6 "2014-05-29T03:58:20Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s safe as long as no one goes tearing apart the walls. I will assume they won’t have classes in a room that is undergoing renovation. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/7 "2014-05-29T04:03:48Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > Does asbestos roofing (bonded in cement) really post a danger? I grew up in a housing project that used that (built in the 50s.) A lot of the houses are still occupied and cancer incidents haven’t been peculiar. But then, the Philippines between 50s and 80s had very low cancer incidents overall. I wish I knew more. I know that my old building had asbestos in it. There was a fire which made us all have to evacuate. We thought it was temporarily, but then realized that because of asbestos, we weren’t allowed back in…not even to get our stuff! Ever since then, the word ‘asbestos’ freaks me out. It’s typical for old buildings. I wouldn’t be too freaked out unless they did a lot of construction in your old housing project. ---
**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/8 "2014-05-29T04:04:05Z")
It is California. Painters can not even sand anything over 30 years old without tenting the whole structure. In the off chance a microscopic bit of lead escapes. In any other state, I doubt a University would even disclose there might be some form of asbestos in an old building. It is safe. ---
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/9 "2014-05-29T04:05:38Z")
> [@Fishtar](#): > > As long as no one messes with it, no big deal. Most old buildings have some form. A little bit in the sheet rock or floor tiles or something. The only kind that really worries me is asbestos insulation, as that is the pure stuff. And I am sure all that stuff either removed or buried very deep. You’re probably right. I have to stop asking my hypochondriac mother questions about things like asbestos lol ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/10 "2014-05-29T04:08:54Z")
> [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](#): > > You’re probably right. I have to stop asking my hypochondriac mother questions about things like asbestos lol Then, you won’t want to mention to her that pretty much **every** building built before 1980 had asbestos in it’s construction… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/11 "2014-05-29T04:09:19Z")
Asbestos in place is no danger at all, as in zero. There is slight danger to be around removal, but that is usually not possible due to restrictions and regulations on removal in California, which would certainly be observed on public property. ---
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/12 "2014-05-29T04:09:21Z")
Sometimes I just worry that colleges withhold too much info about potentially scary stuff. I hear about them covering up rape/crime statistics, so I just don’t always completely trust them. Cancer runs in my family, so maybe I’m just being a spaz about it… ---
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/13 "2014-05-29T04:14:53Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Then, you won’t want to mention to her that pretty much **every** building built before 1980 had asbestos in it’s construction… She’s just worried because many colleges do frequent renovations, but now that I’ve read the answers on here, I feel much safer. It makes sense that if they had to do construction, there would be a lot of protocols that they would be obligated to follow. ---
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/14 "2014-05-29T04:16:41Z")
> [@Fishtar](#): > > It is California. Painters can not even sand anything over 30 years old without tenting the whole structure. In the off chance a microscopic bit of lead escapes. In any other state, I doubt a University would even disclose there might be some form of asbestos in an old building. It is safe. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc79bd/32.png) [@onmykneesforgrilledcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onmykneesforgrilledcheese)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/15 "2014-05-29T04:17:46Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Asbestos in place is no danger at all, as in zero. There is slight danger to be around removal, but that is usually not possible due to restrictions and regulations on removal in California, which would certainly be observed on public property. Ok, I’ll stop spazzing lol ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/16 "2014-05-29T04:23:20Z")
at a university if there was an asbestos hazard it would be remedied. if it is protected and undisturbed it is not a hazard. if it needs to be disturbed it is done safely. ---
**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/17 "2014-05-29T04:26:13Z")
Your fear is rational enough. With all the dumb lawyer commercials still fussing about it. But that has a lot more to do with $$ than actual danger. I would be much more concerned with pesticide residue on food or gasoline fumes. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/18 "2014-05-29T04:26:18Z")
Asbestos is in almost every building built before 1975. If you just leave it alone it is a danger. In fact it is better to leave it alone. If an area of a building test “hot” before any work can be done the asbestos has to be contained. They build walls around the hot area, isolate building air, and set up air locks to go into the area, with wash to come out. Asbestos can cause problems but everyone completely freaks out at the word “asbestos”. In fact we now call it ACM (asbestos containing material). That way it can be talked about with out creating a panic. Don’t get me wrong. I respect the stuff and follow all the procedures if I come across any ACM. Heck I just passed my 40 years of being clear of the stuff and do not want to reset the clock. Boilers, turbines, piping, and other stuff. But it is not as bad as some would have you believe. My dad spent 15 years as an engineering officer in the Merchant Marine the 40+ years in the cold storage industry. He smoked lived to be 79 years old and died of a heart attack. I would not be afraid to go in to any building with asbestos. So go to the college and worry about your classes. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/19 "2014-05-29T04:40:28Z")
Since the OP is asking for opinions, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533/20 "2014-05-29T05:33:01Z")
**Would you go to a college that had asbestos in its buildings?** I’m sure I did. I’m using that as an excuse now. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-college-that-had-asbestos-in-its-buildings/689533.md?page=2)