A county judge ordered the immediate closure of the Guadalupe County, Texas Agricultural Building late last week after it was discovered that the facility was contaminated with asbestos and mold to the extent that it was a danger to those inside.
The building on East Live Oak Street in Seguin was shuttered after County Attorney David Willborn sent a letter to County Judge Larry Jones warning of the county’s potential exposure to liability because of the asbestos and mold issues. Jones took immediate steps to protect those who work inside and called for an emergency meeting of commissioners to discuss how to proceed.
Individuals who frequent the building and were concerned about asbestos exposure also attended the meeting. This included AgriLife Extension agents, 4-H leaders, 4-H members, master gardeners and others, reports an article in the Seguin Gazette.
Records show that a worker had fallen through the building’s asbestos-containing roof in 2011. Though repairs were made they appear to have been insufficient and the potential of asbestos exposure remains a problem, the article points out.
“The court has gone through several budgets and not fixed that roof properly,” Jones said when he ordered the closure.
“All we’re doing is being proactive in getting people out of a dangerous building,” added County Commissioner Jim Wolverton, noting that there’s also a problem with chipped floor tiles in the Ag Center’s meeting room. The adhesive under the tiles contains asbestos. Asbestos can cause a number of ailments and illnesses, ranging from breathing difficulties to aggressive mesothelioma cancer, which generally takes years to develop.
In the meantime, officials have ordered an evaluation of the asbestos problem but an unable to offer a date when the building may be reopened.
“Can it be fixed now?” Commissioner Judy Cope asked. “I don’t believe we have the information at this time to tell anyone whether this is going to be a short-term or a long-term project.”