Asbestos News

The discovery of asbestos in all 138 of the apartments at Creekwood South public housing complex in Wilmington, North Carolina, will reportedly delay initial renovation plans and add money to the overall price tag.

According to the Star News, Wilmington Housing Authority CEO Mike Krause told the organization's board of commissioners that the amount of asbestos in the individual apartments exceeds that which is permissible.

Still, Krause added that it "isn't a level that should create panic," according to the news source.

The housing authority's board recently voted for a change order on the renovation project to Central Builders Inc. for removing asbestos from the first 60 apartments for a cost not exceeding $313,027, the news provider said.

"This was something we didn't anticipate," Krause told the board, adding that the asbestos survey that was conducted was ultimately required by the tax credit funding the $14 million renovation project.

Ensuring asbestos is properly handled and removed from buildings under renovation is crucial, as the dangerous mineral fibers can become airborne when loosened during such work. The inhalation of these fibers can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.