Building that houses local government offices shut down for asbestos removalMartinsburg, West Virginia - In Martinsburg, West Virginia, the Dunn Building was forced to shut down for four days in order to conduct asbestos abatement, by order of Berkeley County's commissioners. The four day closure will take place this week, and the building will be shut down until at least the morning of the 18th, according to Commission President Ron Collins.
The Dunn Building is a mixed use building, used by both Berkeley County government officials as well as by the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.
The asbestos in the building must be removed, as asbestos exposure has long been linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, which can include sudden weight loss, cough, and extreme shortness of breath. The cancer can kill, in some cases, just months after being diagnosed.
An "asbestos hot spot" was found around the skylight, Collins said, adding "We will monitor the work daily and when we get the all clear, we will reopen." Boggs Environmental Consultants of Frederick, Maryland, will conduct the asbestos removal work. If inhaled, asbestos fibers may penetrate the lining of the lungs and other organs, ultimately leading to the development of cancers such as mesothelioma.
Originally the Dunn Woolen Mill, the building dates back to the 1910s, and was bought by the county several years ago. County offices closed this week include the Berkeley County Health Department administrative offices, Emergency Ambulance Authority administrative offices, and the tax office.
