East Brunswick Public Library Back To Serving Community Wednesday

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — After being closed for weeks, the East Brunswick public library opened to the public on Wednesday.

The library was closed after “anonymous concerns regarding asbestos were reported to various state agencies,” Library Director John Arthur said.

To confirm a safe environment, the library entered into a contract with Peak Environmental and Detail Associates on March 7, to come up with guidance on a reopening plan.

Peak Environmental and Detail Associates recommended regular cleaning of the library being renovated and an additional air quality test, Arthur said in a media release.

A thorough cleaning was conducted in the construction area on March 11, including vents, bookshelves, HEPA vacuuming, air scrubbers, and wiping down all surfaces and floors.

“Detail Associates conducted a final air quality test on Monday, March 13. Those results were received on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, and again confirmed no asbestos in the air in five different locations. Their professionals recommended the library reopen,” Arthur said.

During renovation work in the children’s section of the library, discarded material was sent for testing without any chain of custody, Mayor Brad Cohen had said.

The asbestos levels were below 1 percent, which is considered “negative testing.”

Following that, repeated testing at the library by state agencies showed negative for asbestos.

But as a precaution, a full remediation clean-up was suggested by state agencies.

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