CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — We’re working to learn more about a Tennessee investigation into a complaint that the Hamilton County Health Department building on 3rd Street is contaminated with hazardous asbestos, and exposing employees.

The complaints allege management was aware of the potential exposure, but did not inform employees about it.

On Friday, we confirmed that the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) has begun an investigation after receiving several complaints recently.

The complaints allege that health department and county officials knew about the problem but did not notify employees or visitors to that 3rd Street building.

TOSHA says someone filed the complaint on Wednesday, October 25th.

That complaint, which still has not been substantiated by investigators, alleges:

• Asbestos was being mishandled by maintenance employees, who handled affected areas on tile that was cracking or missing pieces “with heavy human traffic daily on affected tiles. It says those maintenance workers and other employees in the building were exposed.
• “Tiles being removed tested ‘HOT’ for Asbestos. They are damaged and have water damage. The questionable area in the ceiling tested for Asbestos according to a Hamilton Co. Air Pollution Control Investigator and Marion Environmental.”
• No notification was given to employees about the presence of Asbestos in the working area.
• The current removal of a stationary cabinet with a sink built into a wall could potentially cause asbestos exposure.

TOSHA’s letter to Hamilton County Health Department Risk Manager Bill Stoll says

We have not determined whether the hazards, as alleged, exist at your workplace; and we are not conducting an inspection at this time. However, since allegations of violations have been made, you should investigate the alleged conditions and make any necessary corrections or modifications.

The health department has 5 days upon receipt of that letter to reply to TOSHA.

A viewer sent us photos of a notice that TOSHA is requiring the Health Department to visibly display inside the building.

We’ve reached out to Hamilton County officials in several departments to learn more about this, and we’ll update this story when we hear back.

For decades, asbestos was used as a flame retardant in building materials, because it does a good job of keeping flames from spreading.

But use of asbestos stopped when it was revealed that inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to various dangerous lung conditions.

This is a developing story. Depend on us to bring you updates as we get them.