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The president of the Hoboken, New Jersey Police Benevolent Association doesn’t think enough precautions are being taken to protect personnel from asbestos exposure during a procedure at headquarters that has been referred to as “emergency asbestos abatement.” According to an article in The Jersey Journal, a contractor began removing asbestos tiles this week at the Hoboken police headquarters on Hudson Street, yet some police personnel were required to remain in the building. Those who are still inside the structure were notified by an environmental consultant that the emergency work would begin in the lobby. This happened after police officials asked the state environmental agency to inspect the work site because they were concerned about what was in the dust that permeated the area. Some departments were moved to trailers, the article explains, but others – including detectives, traffic, identification, the vice squad, the Office of the Chief of Police, and the dispatch center – remained inside the headquarters. Vincent Lombardi, president of the Hoboken Police Benevolent Association, pointed out that signs at the front door warn that protective clothing and respirators must be worn in the area where asbestos removal is taking place, which is on the ground floor. Yet, he says, his men and women have been asked to stay behind during the procedure. “It’s nice for the mayor and public safety director to say it’s safe when they are not in the building,” Lombardi said. “Why did they post a sign saying there is a hazardous material if it’s not dangerous?” However, city spokesperson Juan Melli countered Lombardi’s statement via email, saying: “The building is safe and all precautions are being been taken.” “Trace amounts of asbestos were detected in the mastic (adhesive for the tiles) which is currently being removed from the building,” he adds. “Air quality sampling was performed to ensure that the environment adjacent to the work zone was in fact safe for occupancy by Police Department personnel, and the results came back negative for asbestos.” Nevertheless, Lombardi says he’s not convinced and is worried that exposure now could result in asbestos diseases somewhere down the line for the police personnel that remain in the Hudson Street building.