Saxonburg assures museum is asbestos free after scare
The Saxonburg Museum reopened Wednesday, July 19, after the discovery of potential asbestos contamination forced it to close for several days to undergo testing.
At the monthly borough council meeting Tuesday, museum curator Fred Caesar assured both the members of the borough council and the general public that the museum was safe to visit.
“The goal has been that there should be no public health concern in the future,” Caesar said. “First and foremost, we have been and are solely focused on ensuring public safety.”
Earlier this month, it was brought to the attention of the museum staff that some items on display likely contained asbestos, a popular construction and fireproofing material from the early 20th century which was later found to have deadly effects on human health.
According to Caesar, the issue came to the museum’s attention after someone mentioned it on a museum tour roughly two weeks ago.
The items in question were a collection of “sadirons,” precursors to today’s electric clothing irons. The sadirons were on display in the museum’s laundry room, and some of them had the word “asbestos” imprinted on them. At least one of them had visible asbestos fibers inside.
While the issue was under investigation, the Saxonburg Museum was closed and all scheduled tours were canceled through Tuesday, July 18 while the building underwent a series of tests from Corwin Inspections.
The inspection team tested four display items that were in close proximity to the sadirons. All four items tested negative for asbestos exposure. The air in the museum was also tested and found to be benign.
“The air quality was better in the museum on Monday than it was outside,” said borough secretary Steven May.
While the museum has reopened, the sadirons in question have been turned over to a professional to be disposed of. A copy of the expert’s report can be obtained from the museum, as well as the Saxonburg municipal building.
“We now add another area of consideration in reviewing any potential donation items,” Caesar said. “Besides the concerns of authenticity, condition, historical significance and ties to the community, there is now the added consideration of containing dangerous chemicals or carcinogens.”
The reopening comes just in time for the museum to welcome a delegation from Saxonburg’s sister city of Mühlhausen, Germany, including Lord Mayor Dr. Johannes Bruns.
