Asbestos found in Autauga County Courthouse

PRATTVILLE -- Asbestos floor tiles have been found in an office being renovated in the Autauga County Courthouse.

A warning sign listing the dangers of asbestos went up Tuesday afternoon as crews worked to remove the tiles. One of the circuit clerk's offices was having old carpet removed when the tiles were discovered, said Steve Golsan, county administrator.

"We didn't know the tiles were there," he said. "Our contractor informed us, and another contractor who is licensed and specializes in asbestos removal was called in to properly remove and dispose of the tiles. All precautions are being taken to contain the asbestos.

"There shouldn't be any health risks to employees working in the courthouse or the public coming and going in the courthouse."

Pauline Webb, who had business in the courthouse Tuesday afternoon, isn't so sure.

"You hear asbestos, and it just startles you," she said. "I don't know why they didn't close the courthouse until this gets fixed."

Workers began removing the tiles about noon, and the job was completed about 4 p.m., he said. The work area is on the first floor of the older portion of the courthouse, which was built in the early 1900s. An addition was added to the rear of the original building in the 1960s.

Breathing in "high levels" of asbestos fibers over a period of time could lead to several forms of lung cancer and asbestosis, the scarring of the lungs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

Asbestos commonly was used in the construction of older homes and buildings, according the Consumer Products Safety Commission's website. Those items included floor tiles, adhesives used on certain flooring products and pipe insulation.

The best approach to handling asbestos that is in good condition is to leave it alone, according to the commission.

There likely are more asbestos floor tiles in other offices in the older portion of the courthouse, Golsan said.

"From what I understand, as long as it it covered and in good shape, it's not a danger," he said. "We have carpets in the offices that are covering those tiles."