JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The crews clearing a wing of the Duval County Courthouse of asbestos are required to wear respirators and protective gear to go near the asbestos, which has some employees who work down the hall from the scene concerned.

Some employees working at the courthouse said the clearing of asbestos contamination in the building has been making them ill, forcing them to go home early because of headaches and dizziness.

Channel 4 investigator Jim Piggott talked to the city, which admitted there have been some problems with the asbestos removal. The city said there was a problem with chemicals seeping through the floor and ventilators were accidentally being turned off.

Asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer. The workers wear protection and the air is filtered, but some courthouse employees wonder if they are being protected.

Some people working near the site said the project has been making them sick.

"Headaches, nauseous, burning ears, burning throat, upset stomach ... and dizziness," said courthouse worker Susan Denney.

The area where the asbestos is being removed has been sealed off with duct tape and plastic. However, the people working down the hall wonder if the area where they work is safe.

"No, I don't (think it's safe) at all. Not at all," said courthouse employee Darlene Drewey.

The asbestos removal was supposed to take place at night, but Piggott caught up with some of the men working to remove the asbestos at 10:30 a.m.

"The employees are safe. We have an environmental consultant that is working with us on this project closely. The work today was checking the containment of the area. So, we are taking it very seriously," said Marci Cook of the Department of Public Works.

This weekend the city said it plans to air out the floors to make sure the fumes don't linger. The city said it is following the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for asbestos removal and that the employees are safe.