Many Older Public Buildings, Including Courthouses, May Contain Asbestos
An annex at the Hillsborough County Courthouse in Tampa may need asbestos abatement according to a recent report. Across Florida and the country at large, communities and municipalities have grappled with the need to upgrade from dilapidated public facilities that no longer meet the demands of a growing population. Courthouses, in particular, have become one of the most frequently-outgrown venues. They may not have the capacity in terms of courtrooms, offices and holding cells. In places like Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami, judges and other public officials may call for larger or more modern facilities. Prior to renovating or demolishing aging buildings, however, people need to take precautions against the spread of asbestos, a carcinogenic and highly harmful building material used for decades during the 20 th Century in construction of many types of structures. Asbestos in public buildings could endanger the health of construction workers and the public if not p