Asbestos danger after boiler explosion at wisconsin campus

Whitewater, Wisconsin â€" Students at Esker Dining Hall on the campus of The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater were evacuated earlier this week after a boiler exploded at a power plant located on the north side of the campus. Seven workers were inside the power plant when it exploded. They were evacuated immediately, and apart from a minor abrasion received by one worker, none were injured. Contractors were carrying out routine maintenance at the time the boiler exploded, as part of plans to switch to fuel oil from natural gas. According to Greg Swanson, director of facilities planning and management, the explosion occurred because of a pressure build-up in the fuel injectors of the boiler. Fuel that was released into the burner was the probably cause of the explosion. Esker Dining Hall was evacuated after the explosion due to the possibility of asbestos inhalation. The boiler was insulated with asbestos, and there were fears that the explosion may have generated and dispersed airborne asbestos that could have been inhaled by anyone nearby. Asbestos was commonly used prior to the 1980s as insulation for boilers and furnaces, because the substance was cheap and extremely fire resistant. The explosion may have dispersed airborne asbestos because the substance does not burn, and would not have been destroyed in the explosion. Esker Dining Hall has been closed until further notice, as the University is still working to ensure that asbestos is contained and contamination is prevented. Another result of the explosion is that the campus has been left without hot water and heat for what may turn out to be several days. Students living on campus have been asked to conserve heat in any way possible, and those who previously used Esker Dining Hall are now dining elsewhere on campus. The possibility of asbestos exposure hasn’t concerned students; they’ve been more worried about the explosion itself. The blast was felt in nearby dorms, and caused plenty of alarm for students who were near the processing plant when the explosion occurred. Some reported seeing smoke “gushing out of the boilers” and seeing a large fireball erupt at the plant. Contractors have been hired by the university to survey the plant and determine the extent of the damage, and prevent asbestos spreading from the plant to any nearby locations. Once the debris has been contained and cleaned up, they can then go about restoring the campus’ heat and hot water. Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer says that the danger of asbestos exposure is minimal for students, and that it’s unlikely much asbestos escaped from the processing plant. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)