We care about the health, safety, and well-being of our UNT community!
Two areas where people often have questions are related to asbestos and the indoor
air quality at UNT. With many historic buildings on campus, we want to protect you
from potential exposure to chemicals or other irritants that might cause you harm.
If you plan to tack or nail something into a wall or otherwise disturb or bore into
a building wall or structure, please read through our information about asbestos inspections
below.
If there is construction or work being done in a building where you are at on campus,
a Facilities work control service ticket can also help alert their team and ours to any issues so that we can inspect and
work together to help you.
The mission of the Asbestos Program is to protect the UNT community and their physical
and environmental health from asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring
mineral found in many buildings and building materials on campus and does not pose
a health risk when it is intact.
Please fill out a request for inspection if someone in your area needs to cut, sand,
grind, abrade or otherwise disturb any building materials, hang pictures, secure furniture
or work in the space above the ceiling tiles. Risk Management Services will work with
Facilities to ensure any surfaces that may contain asbestos material will only be
disturbed by trained personnel.
How do I know if I need to request an asbestos inspection?
If you are disturbing any material in a campus building that may contain asbestos,
you must request an asbestos inspection at least 3 weeks prior to the start of work.
This includes any renovation or demolition of the following materials:
Wallboard/Sheetrock
Joint Compound
Ceiling Tiles
Thermal System Insulation (TSI) - pipes, pipe fittings, insulation wraps, etc.
Spray-on Soundproofing
Spray-on Fireproofing
Spray-on Insulation
Carpet and/or Carpet Mastic
Floor Tile and/or Floor Tile Mastic
Caulk, Sealant, Waterproofing, etc.
Ductwork and/or Ductwork Mastic
Cooler/Cold Room Insulation
Fume Hood Panels
Laboratory Benchtops
Any building material not composed entirely of wood, metal, concrete, glass, or plastic
Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures,
especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. The North
Texas area has one of the highest levels of pollen in the United States, and many
individuals have allergic reactions due to the outside air quality. UNT's Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems are designed to filter out much of the pollen.
Indoor air quality is affected by a variety of sources other than the outdoor environment
such as adhesives, paint, new furniture off-gassing, dust from building materials,
etc. Risk Management Services investigates indoor air quality concerns for the UNT
community and coordinates resolution efforts with UNT Facilities.
IAQ or Mold Report Form
If you need to report an Indoor Air quality or mold issue, please click on the below
link.
Our team works with UNT Facilities Project Managers and UNT System Project Managers
to formulate mitigation plans that address potential indoor air quality issues that
might result from new construction and building renovations.
The University of North Texas regulates the use of confined workspaces to ensure employees
can enter and work in those spaces safely. Confined spaces are only approved and allowed
for short periods of time as they are not designed for continuous occupancy by employees.
A confined space is defined as having one or more of the following:
1. Small, narrow or cramped passageways
2. Entry or exit is by means of a ladder
3. Equipment in the space may make evacuation and rescue difficult
University of North Texas 
