Civic Leaders Express Concern About Funding for Asbestos Abatement at Several Howell Township, NJ Municipal Buildings

The costs to remove asbestos and other environmental hazards at four Howell Township, NJ buildings is estimated to cost approximately $1.5 million. Those who work in the aging buildings may be at risk for exposure to asbestos, a dangerous mineral that is known to cause a number of serious illnesses.

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In March 2010, the New Jersey Tri-Town News reported on an environmental study of four municipal buildings in Howell Township that are in need of renovation.

The Town Hall, Engineering, Recreation and Fire Prevention District Buildings are part of a municipal complex. Environmental testing revealed that all four buildings tested positive for asbestos, mold and lead-based paint.

In the Town Hall building, asbestos was found in pipe insulation, window glazing and insulated fire doors. If the Township decides to retain ownership of the building, the costs for asbestos abatement and remediate the other environmental hazards is estimated to cost $310,000. The asbestos abatement costs for the Recreation Building, where asbestos was found on floor tiles, sheetrock partition walls and ceilings and window caulking, are estimated at $425,000.

At the Engineering Building, the removal of asbestos found in ceiling and floor tiles and exterior window glazing were estimated at $375,000, and asbestos remediation and renovations at the Fire Prevention Building were estimated at $480,000.

The Township is currently reviewing other options for the four buildings based on cost estimates for pre-demolition asbestos abatement or transfer ownership of the buildings.

Asbestos Health Risks
The high costs associated with asbestos abatement are due in part to the extreme care that must be taken when handling, removing and disposing of asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Federal and state regulations are in place to protect the workers at these job sites, as well as those who work or live near renovation or demotion sites where ACM may contaminate the air.

The Township is required to follow federal and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulations regarding the removal and disposal of ACM, which requires the Township to: