It was intended to be a centerpiece of artistic and civic activities. Due to the fire dangers that historically plagued movie houses and theaters, a large amount of asbestos was used in the auditorium construction. Years later the government concluded that asbestos is a cancer-causing agent, and steps were taken to ensure its safe removal from the facilities that posed the greatest risk to the public. Public institutions like government buildings and schools were assigned to evaluate asbestos containing materials and initiate a program to remove the materials. The physical properties that give asbestos its resistance to heat and decay are linked with several adverse human health effects.
Asbestos tends to break into a dust of microscopic fibers.
Because of their size and shape, these tiny fibers can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and can easily penetrate body tissues when inhaled. Because of their durability, these fibers can lodge and remain in the body for many years. Asbestos is known to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a chronic disease of the lungs which makes breathing progressively more difficult, and can lead to death. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest and abdominal membranes, is exclusively linked to asbestos exposure.