Posted on February 20, 2026

DHS Workers Raise Health Concerns Over Legacy Asbestos Abatement at St. Elizabeths West Campus in Washington, D.C.

Reports from employees at the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) St. Elizabeths West Campus in Washington, D.C., raise serious concerns about potential asbestos exposure during demolition and abatement activities conducted under an emergency directive.

We are grateful to Pablo Manríquez at Migrant Insider for bringing these concerns to light.

According to multiple accounts, asbestos-abatement crews wearing respirators and full protective suits have been working in and around historic 19th- and early 20th-century buildings slated for demolition. At the same time, federal employees in adjacent occupied offices report that they have not been provided masks, air-quality monitoring results, or options to relocate or work remotely while abatement is underway.

Employees describe limited signage and minimal communication about potential health risks. Several report learning that asbestos work was occurring only after seeing sealed doorways or contractors in protective gear. Others state that inquiries about air quality yielded few clear answers.

Why This Matters

Asbestos is a known carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. Inhaled fibers can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, often decades after exposure. EPA’s Part 2 supplemental risk evaluation for legacy asbestos concluded that asbestos remaining in older structures continues to present an “unreasonable risk” during demolition and renovation activities—making strict controls essential.

Federal law requires containment systems, negative pressure, air monitoring, hazard communication, and appropriate protective equipment to prevent fiber migration into occupied areas. Failure to implement and document these safeguards can place workers at risk.

Prior Oversight and Ongoing Obligations

In 2024, the General Services Administration’s Office of Inspector General found that asbestos hazards at St. Elizabeths had not been properly identified or mitigated, potentially exposing employees and contractors. Workers now describe conditions they believe reflect similar concerns.

The St. Elizabeths West Campus, a 176-acre National Historic Landmark, is undergoing redevelopment as part of DHS consolidation efforts. While officials cite safety and security justifications for demolition, employees emphasize that occupational health protections must be rigorously enforced during any hazardous materials work.

Workers have called for independent air-quality testing, transparent communication, and confirmation that all regulatory standards are being followed.

For individuals seeking clear, multilingual information about asbestos risks and protections, ADAO’s asbestos information chatbot, “The Source,” provides up-to-date guidance on exposure, regulations, and medical resources.

Ensuring compliance with occupational and environmental safeguards is both a legal requirement and a public health imperative. Federal workplaces must meet the same standards required in any setting where asbestos abatement occurs.

Linda Reinstein