Capitol Tunnel Workers Call for More Asbestos Investigations

February 5, 2007 - According to an Associated Press article, the 10 men who work in the tunnels below the U.S. Capitol are asking representatives from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a division of the Centers for Disease Control, to investigate the tunnels they traverse every day.

The men have requested from NIOSH an evaluation of health hazards in the underground tunnels which house the pipes that supply steam and chilled water to Congress, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and other federal buildings.  The workers are employed by the Architect of the Capitol’s office.

David Marshall, an attorney for the workers, said the architect's office has known for many years that the asbestos levels in the tunnels were “unacceptably high” and were “affecting the health of workers.”  The architect's office started requiring the wearing of respirators when the asbestos dangers were brought to the attention of several senators, Marshall said. Some members of the group have worked in the tunnels for 20 years, he added.

``We have cooperated with NIOSH in the past and will continue to do so if they decide to evaluate the tunnels,'' said Eva Malecki, spokeswoman for the Architect of the Capitol.

Previously, the employees have asked congressmen and senators for support in obtaining medical treatment and transportation so that they could be evaluated by a Detroit doctor considered a leading expert on asbestos-related illness.  They also allege that the Architect’s office retaliated against them when they reported their concerns to the politicians.