University gym gets the all-clear
Small holes in the walls of the gymnasium at Thompson Rivers University have been cleaned up and sealed after about two tablespoons of vermiculite fell out during a heavily attended International Days event earlier this month.
Christopher Seguin, TRU's vice-president of advancement, said KRM Recycling, a specialist in site cleanups, handled the work and sealed the space with silicon.
Peak Environmental, an environmental-consulting firm, did extensive air testing and reported the space safe for use.
Worksafe BC also visited the site, reviewed all actions taken and was satisfied, Seguin said.
Vermiculite can be used as insulation and is not considered to pose a health hazard.
Some vermiculite can contain asbestos fibres; however, research has shown a short, limited exposure to a small amount of that kind of mixture will not cause health problems.
The analysis showed less than one per cent of the two tablespoons was asbestos, an amount equal to less than one-eighth of a teaspoon.
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