12/17/18 Letter to Ithaca Mayor Myrick: Massive Asbestos Hazards Documented By Microbac 2014 Pre-Demolition Asbestos, Lead Paint and PCB Survey Report, Former Tompkins County Library Building

Honorable Svante Myrick
Mayor of Ithaca
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Greetings:

I write to reiterate earlier requests that you take immediate urgent action to make sure that the former Tompkins County Library is not permitted to be demolished until all asbestos-containing materials are removed.

Please note that there are now a total of 832 signatories to a: Coalition Letter Which Requests That Ithaca Mayor Myrick Require All Asbestos-Containing Materials to be Removed From the Former Tompkins County Public Library Building Prior to its Demolition

2014 Microbac Report Details Massive Asbestos Hazards at Former Tompkins County Library

More than a month ago, you wrote local concerned citizens, elected officials and individuals involved with the library redevelopment project to note that:

"we have obtained the Pre-Demolition Asbestos, Lead Paint, and PCB Survey Report—cataloguing all asbestos present in the Old Library—prepared by Microbac Laboratories, Inc. for the County in December 2014 (back when the County still owned the Old Library). That report reveals that the building was subject to an extensive asbestos abatement project in the early 1980’s, and that the current roof structure itself is not constructed of friable asbestos, which in turn reduces the risks associated with the demolition of the roof (bold and underscored are emphasis added herein).

As documented below, your characterization of the Microbac report is extraordinarily misleading and fails to summarize its detailed asbestos-containing materials (ACM) survey. I reviewed the report after obtaining it last Friday from your administration through Freedom of Information.

I write to detail its findings for your review. I request that you immediately correct the public record and fulfill the above-referenced coalition letter request.

It is inconceivable that your administration could authorize the demolition of such a large structure with extensive asbestos hazards in a densely developed residential area near the heart of downtown Ithaca, particularly during the height of the holiday season.

See: Microbac Phase IA Pre-Demolition Asbestos, Lead Paint and PCB Survey Report, Former Tompkins County Library Building, December 2014

First and foremost, the Microbac report documents more than 40,000 square feet of "materials confirmed or presumed to contain asbestos in or on the building." Moreover, the report determined that, "The sprayed on fireproofing could not be fully quantified."

The report notes, "An abatement project was reported to have been conducted in the early 1980s to this material [sprayed on asbestos-containing material fireproofing, not in the original]. That project was not successful in removing all of the fireproofing and encapsulated residual fireproofing, loose un-encapsulated fireproofing debris and intact unencapsulated fireproofing remain throughout the building."

The Microbac report notes:

"That abatement project was conducted prior to current abatement regulations and did not include the the full removal of the ACM fireproofing. Observations made by the inspector during the current survey indicate the following:

* A white color encapsulant was applied to steel "I" beams in most areas. It was confirmed that the encapsulant was applied directly over the residual ACM fireproofing on the "I" beams on all floor levels.

* Intact and unencapsulated ACM fireproofing was observed in many semi-inaccessible locations (chases, inside blocks, etc.) and in hard to access spaces. Intact ACM fireproofing was also visually confirmed to be located in other areas (above solid ceilings, soffits, etc.).

* Loose, un-encapsulated fireproofing debris was observed in many areas of the building above the ceilings and in chases.

* All un-encapsulated fireproofing (intact and debris) is highly friable and easily disturbed."

In addition, the report documents that:

"Early into the investigation it became evident that ACM fireproofing (intact, debris and encapsulated) was widespread."

"all above ceiling spaces on all floors were deemed contaminated with ACM fireproofing."

"The elbows and joints on the piping are insulated with ACM mud packings."

"The sprayed on fireproofing could not be fully quantified. Based on observations made by the inspector this material is present throughout the building (all levels) except for portions of the garage.

The un-encapsulated fireproofing (loose debris and intact) is very friable with poor internal cohesion."

"Encapsulated fireproofing below white colored encapsulant on the steel "I" beams. The material is coated with an encapsulant. Based on field observations the encapsulant did not fully penetrate the fireproofing and the residual encapsulated fireproofing could be rendered friable if the encapsulant is disturbed. Encapsulated fireproofing was observed in all spaces of the building except for portions of the garage (spaces 1001, 1002).

"Roof Flashing Felts

This material consists of non-friable roof flashing felts located below rubber membrane roofing on the perimeter of the roof area above the penthouse and the children's reading room."

"A total of three (3) samples were collected and all three samples were confirmed to contain Chrysotile asbestos in the 6.1% to 14% range."

"The presence of ACM fireproofing (debris & intact) located throughout the building and ACM thermal system insulation debris in the penthouse boiler room represents a significant potential for asbestos exposure."

Critical Microbac Report Demolition Asbestos "Removal" Conclusion

The Microbac report concludes:

"ACM fireproofing should be presumed to be present above all suspended and solid ceilings, on steel "I" beams (encapsulated), in chases, and as overspray on other building components. ACM pipe elbow insulation should be presumed present above all suspended and solid ceilings and in chases. It is also highly likely that ACM fireproofing, debris and overspray is present in block walls and behind other wall surfaces (brick, stucco, etc.).

If there are plans to perform significant renovation or demolition (partial or total) of the subject building an abatement project should be designed to address the removal and cleaning of the materials identified in this survey that would be impacted by the renovation or demolition.

6. If there are plans to disturb or remove any of the ACM materials identified in this survey it is recommended that these materials be removed and cleaned by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor prior to disturbance."

Request for Action

These critical Microbac demolition conclusions are reflected in the above-referenced coalition letter request.

I believe it is unacceptable that your administration improperly condemned this huge asbestos-contaminated structure so that it can be razed through a controlled demolition with asbestos in place instead of removing all the asbestos first as recommended by both the Microbac and Delta reports.

See: Proposed Asbestos Abatement At The Former Tompkins County Library

In conclusion, if you fail to require all the asbestos to be removed prior to library demolition, you will be imperiling thousands of citizens who live around the building as well as thousands of children who walk by the site going to and from school.

Very truly yours,

Walter Hang

See: Microbac Phase IA Pre-Demolition Asbestos, Lead Paint and PCB Survey Report, Former Tompkins County Library Building, December 2014

On 11/16/2018 6:07 PM, Svante Myrick wrote:
Hi everyone,

An update below that you can share with anyone you know to be interested.

As you know, last month hundreds of Ithacans signed a petition expressing concern with a developer’s pending plan to demolish the Old Library without first removing the asbestos present in that building. I did then and I do now share this concern. Public safety is my number one priority. And all of us should maintain a healthy fear of asbestos.

Since that time, the City’s Director of Code Enforcement, the Director of Planning and Development, and the City Attorney have been scrutinizing the upcoming demolition for risks it poses to public safety, and for safer alternative processes that may be available. We continue to look at all options. Just last week, I convened a public information session at which the developer and appropriate City staff briefed the public on the status of this planned demolition. At that session, I heard a clear desire for the planned demolition to be delayed pending independent evaluation by a third party engineer selected by the City. I am pleased to share a few important updates in that regard.

First, the developer has agreed to hold off on demolition activities at least through Thanksgiving in order to give the City an opportunity to consult with a City-selected third-party engineer.

Second, we have selected a local structural engineer who is unconnected to this development project to advise the City on the structural safety of the existing building, which may shed light on potential alternative methodologies for asbestos abatement. Specifically, structural engineer Greg Dende has agreed to undertake this investigation on behalf of the City—and at City expense. We selected Mr. Dende for his expertise, his local presence, and his unbiased ability to provide clear-eyed advice on the engineering issues at stake.

Lastly, I want to share some useful information regarding the state of the asbestos in the Old Library roof. Specifically, we have obtained the Pre-Demolition Asbestos, Lead Paint, and PCB Survey Report—cataloguing all asbestos present in the Old Library—prepared by Microbac Laboratories, Inc. for the County in December 2014 (back when the County still owned the Old Library). That report reveals that the building was subject to an extensive asbestos abatement project in the early 1980’s, and that the current roof structure itself is not constructed of friable asbestos, which in turn reduces the risks associated with the demolition of the roof (emphasis added).

Of course, I'm still concerned about the overall risks posed by the asbestos present in this building, some of which might nonetheless be implicated by the demolition of the roof. This is why I'm seeking—from our selected third-party engineer and in discussions with the developer—information that can enhance public safety in this context. I hope to provide the public with a further update in that regard soon.

Again, I extend my thanks to you all for being such an engaged public and for calling attention to this important issue of public health in our City.

Best,

Svante Myrick
Mayor, City of Ithaca

108 East Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

607-274-6501