Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job, through the environment, or at home via a family contact should inform their doctor of their exposure history, whether or not they experience any symptoms. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after exposure.

Do NOT replace the wires yourself. The university needs to purchase the National Institute of Building Sciences Guidance Manual, Asbestos Operations & Maintenance Work Practices, 2nd Edition. Here is the link to purchase the manual:.

Here is a link to a site that gives excellent information about how another theater dealt with their asbestos wiring.
This is a quote from that site, “We followed the National Institute of Building Sciences O&M manual recommendations for the removal of asbestos-wrapped wiring:

Level 1 — (removing a single good condition wire) calls for no PPE, and cleanup with a HEPA vacuum.

Level 2 — (removing good condition wiring from several lights) calls for a dropcloth, respirator and HEPA cleanup.

Level 3 — (removing damaged wiring in poor condition) calls for a mini-enclosure et. al.”

As a student, it is NOT your responsibility to determine if you should work with asbestos wires. Going forward, you should flat out refuse.

If I were in your shoes, I would email the administrator in charge of building maintenance to address the issue. The university needs to get an asbestos professional into the theater to assess the situation. In the meantime, no one should be working with the lights and wires. Also, in your email, request the university pay for your chest x-ray and medical tests.

The way you would be affected is if the wires insulation was was starting to disintigrate. The asbestos in it would turn into dust, that can be inhaled. Asbestos is only a danger when inhaled. Most likely, you are O.K. Be sure to document your experience and correspondence with the university. Asbestos exposure illnesses often do not show up for many years. Best of luck! – Liz

asbestos is a hazmat matter, however the main concern is where you are inhaling it. all the coast guard ships still have asbestos in the insulation, and they are very careful when ripping it apart, which flings those tiny particles in the air.

in short, acting under asbestos insulated wires won’t harm you. however, when working on the wires, i’d use some protection.