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Gabriella Fernbaugh:
The agriculture industry is facing a lot of issues, including water shortages and resource scarcity.
Tyler Abrams:
One ASU student has a solution that could lead to growing crops in outer space.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
I’m Gabriella Fernbaugh.astro
Tyler Abrams:
I’m Tyler Abrams, and this, is State Press Play.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
Need something to do with your hands? We've got the lowdown on clubs and communities that could be your next obsession.
Tyler Abrams:
But first...
Before it was banned in 1989, asbestos was used in all sorts of building and construction materials. People loved it because of its resistance to water, chemicals, and fire. Now we know that the mineral can cause all sorts of issues when inhaled like lung cancer.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
When I heard that there is still asbestos in ASU buildings, I had to get to the bottom of it.
Gregory Wnenta is ASU’s asbestos program manager. Wnenta said that although many of the older buildings contain asbestos, it’s no cause for concern.
Gregory Wnenta:
We do have a fair amount of asbestos throughout some of our older buildings, which of course we occupy. As those projects come to me, pretty much independently of the project. My goal is to make sure that any asbestos, even lead is is identified and and called out and removed prior to construction.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
Over the summer, ASU performed a complicated removal process called remediation in several buildings. Asbestos was removed from the third floor of Interdisciplinary B, Engineering Center A, and the Farmers Education Building. Because ASU used asbestos in its earlier buildings, the university is responsible for safely removing it.
Gregory Wnenta:
So, you know, federal EPA basically states that the generator of asbestos is responsible from cradle to grave, so the second it lands in one of our buildings to all the way where it winds up in a landfill is ASU’s responsibility.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
Asbestos remediation or abatement is the procedure for how asbestos needs to safely be removed. It begins by turning off air conditioning units and sealing vents, then using plastic sheeting seal off the work area. The last step is using wet cleanup tools and vacuums with a special filter for extra small particles.The material collected and anything in that room that is exposed to asbestos need to be placed in EPA approved air tight, leak proof bags. Another way of handling asbestos is through encapsulation, or covering it up. According to Gregory, this is not the best method.
Gregory Wnenta:
So if we have an asbestos floor tile you know, a great floor, they used to ought to be able to come in and put carpet squares or carpet right over that, right? So they could they could basically cover it or encapsulate it, assuming that it's in good condition, right. So that doesn't cause any exposure doesn't cause any, you know, anybody to get a nose full of asbestos. So, but later on when you come back, now, when we want to change out that carpet, now that carpet is glued down to asbestos floor tile, so now you've actually created a larger asbestos footprint.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
Asbestos is used in a lot of different ways including wall insulation, heat-resistant fabrics, roofing and siding shingles and various other construction materials. Because we live in a global economy and asbestos is not banned worldwide, the EPA requires that the construction materials undergo a series of tests before use.
Gregory Wnenta:
We receive building materials from around the world. So potentially somebody could receive some, we'll say drywall from some country that's still mining asbestos, and I could have it in that drywall. And that's why the laws today say that we have to sample it. We sample everything to prove it negative.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
ASU follows strict EPA guidelines when removing asbestos. It’s unlikely that any new buildings contain this dangerous material. If you want to know more about asbestos on campus, you can check out the ASU workplace and community safety website.
This story was reported on by Gabriella Fernbaugh of the State Press Podcast desk and is the only form of the story.
Tyler Abrams:
Venture Devils is a grant program from ASU’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute. Every year it gives out about $450,000 to startups by ASU students, faculty, alumni and community members. One of this year’s grant recipients is Astro Seed, an agricultural engineering startup. I’m here with State Press SciTech reporter Dimitra Manatou, who spoke with the company’s founder and CEO to learn more.
All right, Dimitra. It's great to have you here.
Dimitra Manatou:
Thanks for having me on here.
Tyler Abrams:
Okay, now we can get to our first question. What exactly is Astro Seed?
Dimitra Manatou:
Astro Seed is a company that makes pods for plants. And these pods are like an innovation in agriculture, since you can grow plants and control the conditions that they grow, so you can grow them in many different ways. You can grow them more fast and more efficiently than the usual agricultural methods.
To hear more from Manatou, please tune in to State Press Play.
READ MORE: CULTIVATING A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW: ASTRO SEED'S PIONEERING APPROACH TO AGRICULTURE
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
Looking at the hundreds of clubs at ASU can be pretty intimidating. But many students find it rewarding to learn new skills while maintaining their academics. State Press Scitech reporter Sophia Ramirez spoke with some clubs that might pique your interest. So Sophia, what were some of the clubs that most surprised you that ASU had?
Sophia Ramirez:
I was most surprised to learn about Cube Devils, which is a competitive Rubik's Cube-solving club. I learned that they have events to solve Rubik's Cubes to get better to get faster to solve new types of Rubik's Cubes. It was a hobby that I was surprised existed that was actually really cool to see.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
Wow, Rubik's Cubes, that is so cool! We both know that college can be difficult and intimidating, especially when we're trying to make new friends. That's why joining a club can really help you find your people.
To hear more from Ramirez, please tune in to State Press Play.
READ MORE: THE BENEFITS OF A NEW HOBBY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
And that’s all for this week’s State Press Play. I’m Gabriella Fernbaugh.
Tyler Abrams:
And I’m Tyler Abrams.You can follow State Press on X and Instagram @statepress.
Gabriella Fernbaugh:
State Press Play is produced and mixed by the State Press podcast desk editor Amber Victoria Singer. Our original music is by Jake Leroux and Ellie Willard. Special thanks to our managing team Alexis Heichman and Reece Andrews.
Tyler Abrams:
You can check out all these stories and more on statepress.com. See you next week, Devils.
