Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Ten workers were allowed to return to their office in the Shasta County Courthouse two days after a warning of possible asbestos contamination in two offices. The employees had been ordered out after a construction worker renovating the offices suspected there was asbestos. An air quality sample was taken and the results came back showing no asbestos was present.

Inhaling asbestos has been found to cause a type of lung cancer called mesothelioma. In 1989, The Environmental Protection Agency banned all new uses of asbestos. Before being banned, asbestos was used in many forms for manufacturing.

The courthouse was built in the 1950s, but renovations have gotten rid of most of the asbestos. Still, this week's asbestos scare wasn't the first time parts of the courthouse have been closed because of possible exposure.  In January, the criminal clerk's office was closed after asbestos was discovered.

Jack K Clapper
Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason
415-332-4262
800-440-4262