Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Core samples showed no asbestos in Villanova asphalt
Residents were concerned there might be asbestos in construction dust
RADNOR >> After residents living near Villanova University expressed concerns about possible asbestos in the asphalt on its main parking lot, where a major construction project is underway, the university had core samples taken and those came back negative for asbestos.
Commissioner Phil Ahr announced this finding in an email Wednesday.
“The reports have come back negative. There was no asbestos identified in the samples,” Ahr wrote. “Of course, this is good news for the residents, students, Villanova and Radnor Township.”
“And, this is in addition to their announcement at our meeting that they would not be milling the parking lot, but rather using a process that scoops the asphalt, while wetting it down, and hauling away the ‘chunks,’” Ahr wrote. Villanova Senior Project Manager “Marilou (Smith) explained that this was to be proactive, using a process designed to minimize or eliminate dust.”
Ahr thanked university officials “for taking the additional steps of testing the asphalt for asbestos and proactively using a removal process that minimizes dust and will be sensitive to the health concerns of many.”
As reported in The Main Line Suburban Life, residents had been concerned about the possibility of dust from the site where the university is building dormitories, a garage and performing arts center, along with retail space on 13 acres on the south side of Lancaster Avenue. Dr. Andrew Forman, chairman of the board of health, went to the January Villanova Project Communication & Review Committee (CARE) meeting after residents also spoke to the township health board about the issue.
Rick Leonardi, a resident and member of the CARE committee, said, “I’m glad (that) we have been informed that test results exist which show asbestos release will not be a public health concern as the surface of main lot is taken up and hauled away. In fact, I would like to see this report to know who performed the tests, where and when they were performed, what if any other contaminants were tested for, what was found, whether the soil beneath the paved surface was tested as well, etc.
“I trust this report will be made available to us, in the same manner as was the report from FXB Engineering relative to the (west lot area) lighting,” he added. “I hope that, as was suggested at the last CARE meeting, an independent hydrological firm can be hired in similar fashion to these consultants, and that they can shed some light on the movement of water under main lot and into the Darby Creek watershed. I particularly hope that this hydrological report can be delivered with the same amazing rapidity with which this asbestos finding has made its way to us.”
Tish Long, another resident, said that residents would like an independent asbestos evaluation.
“Much is at stake,” Long said. “Thirteen acres of asphalt represents possible contamination that is very alarming to the community. The residents need to know that their health, safety and wel-
fare is being protected. In order to safeguard the residents, the board of commissioners needs to support the residents in their request to engage third-party experts to come in to assess, verify and certify that every measure is being taken to safeguard the community. Without that, there is no trust.”
An independent light expert evaluated Villanova’s west parking lot and found issues and noncompliance that the university and township experts did not, she noted.
Meanwhile, the CARE Committee “has been a disappointment,” Long said. “The committee’s sole purpose is to communicate. The two residents sitting on the committee have been continually hampered in their tasks with not having the pertinent information, such as the plans, not being allowed on site and not being privy to all of the intercommunication between staff, Villanova and some board of commissioners members. Instead of being at the top of the pyramid, as they should be, they are at the bottom. Getting information third-hand, or after the fact, as in this case, is not in the spirit of why this committee was formed. The committee’s purpose is to inform the residents in an actively inclusive way, not for the resident committee members to serve as window dressing only.”
If those “resident members had been allowed to participate in the asphalt testing that Villanova conducted, residents might have gotten answers as to where the samples were taken from, how many were analyzed, at what depth were they taken, what process was used for the testing, who conducted the tests, etc.,” she said. “Instead, residents get an email (from Ahr), after the fact, indicating that all is well and thanking ‘Villanova’s professional team for addressing it in a reassuring manner.’ That is not acceptable. Residents are not reassured.”
Long said that the CARE committee should be disbanded and that residents’ concerns instead be addressed by the commissioners.
“The committee’s sole purpose is to communicate. The two residents sitting on the committee have been continually hampered in their tasks with not having the pertinent information, such as the plans, not being allowed on site and not being privy to all of the intercommunication between staff, Villanova and some board of commissioners members.” — Tish Long, resident