Metro's renovations have revealed asbestos at two stations, The Washington Examiner reported.
Asbestos removal began last week at the Farragut North and Union Station stops. The asbestos was found in areas not accessible to the public, The Examiner reported.
The remediation work is expected to last until mid-April. The material was found in the jointwork of ducts in mechanical rooms, under platforms and above suspended ceilings, Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said Wednesday.
The agency said air monitoring conducted in the affected areas has shown that airborne fiber concentrations have been well below general industry standards since the work began.
The asbestos was discovered during ductwork removal, part of the Red Line rehabilitation project.
When inhaled, airborne microscopic fibers of asbestos can cause lung cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Metro turned off the air flow systems at the stations before removal began.
Taubenkibel doesn't expect Metro will find asbestos at other stations, The Examiner reported.
