Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral that has, historically, been used in thousands of different building materials and consumer products. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases a person’s risk for developing various lung diseases including lung cancer and mesothelioma, a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the chest cavity and abdominal wall. For this reason, asbestos removals are heavily regulated by various Federal and State agencies and specific procedures requiring the identification of asbestos in buildings and its removal, when necessary, in a controlled manner are in place.

At the University of Florida, the Environmental Health and Safety Division is responsible for all asbestos management tasks both on campus and at other UF centers and buildings across the State of Florida.

Policies have been established requiring an asbestos survey prior to the start of any renovation or demolition activity. If asbestos must be removed, the work is required to be conducted safely and in a manner designed to protect workers as well as all University staff, students and visitors from any asbestos exposure.

Environmental Health and Safety serves as the gatekeeper for all asbestos information and can address any questions or concerns that may come up regarding asbestos. Additionally, we provide regularly scheduled asbestos awareness training classes for UF personnel and we routinely inspect asbestos removal projects and previously identified asbestos that remains in place to make sure there are no increased risks of exposure.

Copies of the UF asbestos policies can be found under policies.

Please feel free to contact the Asbestos Program Office with any questions you may have regarding asbestos at the University of Florida.