Community InfoFair Thursday Published March 16, 2007 By the 27th Fighter Wing staff CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Cannon leadership will host an Information Fair for military housing residents from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at The Landing to answer questions and address concerns in response to a letter provided to First Sergeants Wednesday for distribution to their Airmen. The letter, signed by Col. Scott West, 27th Fighter Wing commander, is being distributed to Cannon military housing residents and advises that some building materials used in military housing contains asbestos. According to the 27th Civil Engineering Squadron, nothing in the tests conducted so far indicates excessive exposure levels to asbestos and although the health risk is thought to be low, more testing is currently under way. "The well being of our Cannon families is always a primary concern," said Colonel West. "We should know the results of those tests in June and will let everyone know the outcome at that time." According to base officials, samplings done in 1994 and 1995 showed the presence of asbestos and the findings guided renovation and abatement projects. Between 2002 and 2005 there were plans to privatize military housing; however, the Base Realignment and Closure recommendation to place Cannon in enclave status put the plan on hold. In January, water damage caused two ceilings to collapse in unoccupied housing units according to base officials. Tests showed the presence of asbestos in those ceiling material. The letter was part of a packet that contained material about asbestos as well as other common household hazards and a letter for residents to sign and return, acknowledging receipt of the information. This communication outreach effort is based on recent test findings as well as an update to Air Force Instruction 32-6001 which requires military family housing occupants receive information regarding potential environmental hazards, to include: asbestos, mold, lead, lead-based paint and radon. The Information Fair will have experts, as well as wing leadership, ready to address occupants concerns regarding these potential hazards. More information about asbestos can be found in the "Asbestos: Qs and As" article on page 6 and at: Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) www.atsdr.cdc.gov/Asbestos; and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) at www.osha.gov/SLTC/Asbestos.