Thousands Of Pieces Of Mail Destroyed At South Bay Post Office After Asbestos Exposure: Officials

TORRANCE, CA — Thousands of pieces of mail were destroyed at a South Bay Post Office after it was found that they had been contaminated with asbestos, according to United States Postal Service officials.

Concerns rose about potential asbestos contamination at the Torrance Post Office in July, and all services were moved to neighboring facilities, according to USPS officials.

After testing, officials found there was no asbestos in the ventilation system, Natashi Garvins, a spokesperson for the USPS office, told Patch. But mail and packages inside the facility had been contaminated, Garvins said.

"As a matter of precaution and safety to customers, all the mail pieces contained in the facility at the time of the asbestos exposure, were deemed unsuitable for handling by anyone due to the toxic nature of asbestos," Garvins told Patch.

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More than 4,000 pieces of mail were destroyed in accordance with regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, Garvins said.

It's unclear exactly when the items were destroyed or how they were contaminated with asbestos. Garvins says all testing at the Torrance Post Office has concluded as of Aug. 15.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that was once used in building materials due to its insulation properties. However, when exposed to it, asbestos can cause serious health issues, including lung disease and cancer, according to the EPA.

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