Potential Asbestos Issue Closes East Brunswick Public Library Indefinitely

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ —The East Brunswick Public Library is closed indefinitely due to concerns over potential asbestos in the area being renovated, officials said.

Although the NJ Department of Health did not require the library to close, it did recommend it as a precaution as matters are being addressed, officials said.

Air quality tests taken on Feb. 25 at various points in the library indicated no presence of asbestos in the air, officials said.

According to the tests conducted by the NJ Department of Labor, the asbestos levels were below 1 percent, which is considered non-asbestos-containing materials per Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

During Monday’s council meeting, Mayor Bard Cohen responded to questions on the library closure.

“There has been a question during the construction of the children’s wing that there might be an issue with asbestos,” Cohen said. “The plan is to open up the library soon as possible after doing some cleaning.”

According to township officials and Cohen, the library has no documented instances of materials testing above 1 percent.

“We are awaiting recommendations from the state officials for any additional cleaning and/or possible testing to confirm the safe and healthy environment of the library,” library officials said in a statement. “The library will be closed until this is concluded.”

All library programs and passport appointments are now canceled. However, residents can visit the virtual library for online resources.

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