A routine inspection in December revealed the presence of a potentially harmful amount of asbestos dust, mercury vapors, and lead paint in the San Francisco State University’s three-story Science building, causing the facility to be shut down due to the potential harm to students and faculty. Fortunately, the discovery was made during winter break, giving SFSU officials some time to figure out what to do before classes resumed on January 27. The building houses numerous departments, including business, liberal and creative arts, science and engineering, and health and human services.
The problem was found to be more significant during a second inspection, prompting the building to be shut down for the entire spring semester. “It is not easy to find alternative seats for 9,000-plus enrollments, and to furnish spaces intended for other purposes,” said SFSU President Lee Wong in a message to staff, faculty, and students. “I am deeply grateful for the creativity and resourcefulness shown by the college deans, administrators, faculty, and staff throughout campus. Their dedication has been remarkable. As new classroom locations are identified, they are being entered into the class schedule.”
Mercury vapors were discovered in numerous classrooms, with the greatest concentration found in a basement room that had already been sealed off. The lead paint was peeling and covered an area larger than 1,000 square feet. Asbestos, which was found in the basement and first and second floors, was once considered a go-to material in a wide range of industries until its ban in the 1970s. The inhalation of friable, or airborne, asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma — a type of lung cancer that is almost always fatal.