The discovery of a possible asbestos release in the Monterey courthouse caused alarm among the county health workers. Several weeks ago a worker drilled through ceiling tiles containing asbestos. A nickel-sized hole was drilled into ceiling tiles containing asbestos. It was only weeks later that the drilling came to the attention of officials. On Monday, August 20th, specialized cleanup crews began work to determine the extent of asbestos contamination.
After certified industrial hygienists obtained air and surface samples to a lab, tests showed there were no asbestos fibers.
Concern about the hazards of asbestos in the court house have lingered since contractors were suspected of having released the material into the courthouse's north wing during an 18-month period in 2005. Asbestos is known to cause cancers, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Even breathing in a small amount of asbestos fibers can lead to the development of mesothelioma many years later.