Asbestos News

Renovation work has been halted on a North Charleston, South Carolina, hotel after workers failed to perform a state-mandated asbestos survey of the building.

According to the Post and Courier, state officials received a tip and discovered that the former Quality Suites hotel was continuing renovation work without completing a survey to see if asbestos was present inside the building.

"Work has not restarted," Aram Myrick, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control spokesman, told the news source. "They've ceased until we've had a chance to review the asbestos inspection report."

The news source reported that there was a pile of debris currently stacked outside the building, which is being remodeled to become a Crowne Plaza hotel with an estimated 168 rooms.

Asbestos was originally used in building materials due to its insulating and fireproofing properties. However, if removal of asbestos is not handled properly, asbestos dust may be released into the air and inhaled by those in the surrounding area. Exposure to the mineral can cause mesothelioma and other serious diseases such as asbestosis and lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization.