SHARPS Program | Lead-Based Paint Management Program | Asbestos Questions & Answers | Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

University Housing and Environmental Hazards Management
University of Michigan Housing is committed to providing students with a safe environment in the residence halls, apartments and townhouses. One of the University's Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH) Representatives is dedicated to Housing. Over 60 other OSEH Representatives support Housing's representative and make it possible for Housing to keep up to date on the latest information and research in the field. Together these specialists monitor the environment in Housing, addressing safety and environmental hazards proactively when possible, and reacting very quickly when necessary. For more information, contact Housing's OSEH Representative at 763-5641 or visit the OSEH Web site.

SHARPS Program
In order to protect other residents and our maintenance staff from possible injury from used hypodermic needles or blood test lancets Housing has established the SHARPS Program. The SHARPS Program is a method for safely disposing of used hypodermic syringes and blood test lancets. These items represent a potential threat to others as well as the environment. We are therefore required to separate syringes and lancets from normal trash and dispose of them in a safe manner. Each residence hall and the Northwood Community Center have a disposal site that is periodically emptied by University Hazardous Waste personnel. For more information view The Point is ... Needles Hurt , a publication of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Lead-Based Paint Management Program
The University of Michigan has implemented a comprehensive Lead-based Paint Management Program to address lead-based paint in University Housing.

Asbestos
Q. Is there asbestos in Housing's buildings?
A. Asbestos was used widely in building products until the 1970s. Because of the age of the University's buildings, it is estimated that there is asbestos in probably three-fourths of the buildings on campus. Recently completed room-by-room surveys established that many residence halls and some apartment complexes have some form of asbestos-containing material, usually in the insulation on piping or holding tanks. The surveys also indicated that the condition and location of the asbestos materials is such that they generally do not pose a hazard for residents. Most of Housing's recommended asbestos remedial work is for service areas, such as pipe chases, utility tunnels, and boiler rooms.

Q. Where else might I come into contact with asbestos?
A. Asbestos fibers are found in normal outdoor air in both urban and suburban areas. Autopsies performed by the Department of Pathology of the University of Michigan have found asbestos in the lung tissue of 100% of the samples taken. Hence, there is a background level of asbestos in our environment that we are in contact with daily. Recent EPA tests determined that asbestos levels in the air in buildings with asbestos-containing materials - regardless of whether those materials are in "good" or in "bad" condition - are at or near asbestos levels in outdoor air.

Q. What is University Housing doing about asbestos?
A. Housing has been removing and encapsulating asbestos for several years and has fielded a comprehensive program to address it.

Detailed, room-by-room building surveys have been completed for all residence halls and Northwood Community Apartments. Conducted by outside environmental consulting firms, the surveys identified where asbestos is and determined whether or not its condition represents a potential hazard to residents and/or staff. This information has been used for planning and implementing remedial projects. Other program activities include labeling all piping and tank insulation to indicate the presence or absence of asbestos, monitoring asbestos-related research, and assuring that service staff knows where asbestos is and how to manage it.

Housing expended over $1.25 million on asbestos abatement. The lion's share of those expenses were for remedial projects and the remainder for building surveys. Recognizing that occasions will continue to arise that require an immediate response, Housing has made arrangements with a reputable asbestos abatement firm to be available on 24-hour notice. This enables Housing to address a high priority hazard within a few days.

Q. What are the methods used to address an asbestos hazard?
A. There are three methods of treating asbestos materials:

1. Removal.
2. Encapsulation. Covering the asbestos with a material designed to bond to the exposed asbestos, thereby preventing fiber release.
3. Enclosure. Constructing a barrier between the asbestos material and the environment. The method used depends on a number of considerations, including the nature of the particular hazard, estimated costs for the different remedial approaches, and available resources.

Q. Why doesn't the University simply remove all asbestos from its buildings?
A. Removal of asbestos is very expensive. It is estimated that it would cost millions of dollars to remove and replace the asbestos in Housing's buildings. Given the low risk hazard and limited available resources, Housing administrators have opted for an asbestos containment approach rather than a removal. This approach is consistent with the recommendation of most experts; that is, leave undamaged and protected asbestos in place.

Q. What should I do if I believe there is an asbestos hazard in a Housing building?
A. If you believe or suspect that there is damaged and exposed asbestos, call FIXIT (763-4948) immediately.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Though you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide (CO), at high levels it can kill a person in mere minutes. This deadly gas is produced when fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. If in the process of burning these fuels, the appliances are well maintained and the amount burned is low, the amount of CO created is not usually hazardous. However, if appliances are not well maintained or, used incorrectly and the amount of fuel used is great, higher levels of CO can be produced.

Symptoms of CO poisoning at moderate levels can be severe headaches, dizziness, feeling confused, nauseous or faint. Even moderate levels over a short period can be deadly. Lower levels are also dangerous, with symptoms consisting of shortness of breath, mild nausea and headaches. Any level of exposure over a longer duration can have long term health consequences. Many of these symptoms are also similar to the flue or food poisoning, and as such people do not think CO poisoning as a likely cause.

If you experience any of these symptoms or think you may have CO poisoning:

• Get outside into fresh air immediately - open all windows and doors, turn off combustion appliances, and leave the house
  
  
• Go to the emergency room - tell the doctor that you suspect you may have CO poisoning. Doctors can check for CO poisoning with a blood test if you go to the hospital soon after being exposed
  
  
• Be prepared to answer questions such as: did the symptoms occur only in one place (i.e. house, work, etc), did they disappear/reappear when leaving or returning? Is anyone else from this location feeling similar? Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in the location? Have you had your appliances inspected lately? Have any been malfunctioning?

Prevention is the key to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning. These short tips below can save your life.

• Have your fuel-burning appliances inspected by trained professionals at beginning of every heating season. These include oil/gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, wood stoves and fireplaces, gas and kerosene space headers.
  
  
• Choose appliances that vent their fume outdoors, instead of into the room they are in.
• Read all instructions and operating guidelines for fuel-burning appliances.
• Do not idle a car in the garage, even if the garage door is open.
• Do not use gas appliances, such as an oven, to heat your home when it is not their primary purpose.
• Do not use a charcoal grill indoors, even within a fireplace.
• Do not ignore the symptoms above; losing consciousness could result.
• Do purchase a carbon monoxide detector, along with smoke detectors, and make sure the batteries are in working order regularly. Make sure your detector(s) have an "End of Life Warning" to remind you to replace the unit itself.

For more information, please refer to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning sheet from UM Health System.