Indiana University Removes Asbestos from Dorms

January 8, 2007 - The Indiana Daily Student News has reported that maintenance workers removed asbestos from 39 dorm rooms during inspections which took place during the winter break at Indiana University, located in Bloomington.

According to the Residential Services Director, Pat Connor, about 1,800 rooms and 200 apartments were inspected during the break.  He noted that asbestos is currently found in four residential halls on campus: Tulip Tree Apartments and Forest, Briscoe and McNutt quads.

"It is a visual inspection of the ceiling to determine if there are areas of concern," Connor said. "Maintenance staff record the information and write work orders for work to be done." 

Connor also noted that any asbestos reports made by students or staff are being handled in a “timely manner.”

“Repairs are in the process, and the areas of concern were corrected by maintenance staff in 30 minutes per work order, due to the small work area," Connor said.

He also noted that asbestos inspections have been increased to two times per year.  Previously, inspections were only conducted annually.  This stems from concerns as to how asbestos is manipulated during the time that students are living in the rooms.  For example, asbestos may be disturbed by hanging posters on the ceiling, creating airborne fibers that could be inhaled.

"It is worthwhile to monitor the condition of the rooms, correct any damage that may have occurred intentionally or unintentionally by students during the fall term, and stay on top of the issue," Connor said, though he believes that rapid deterioration would not occur through normal occupancy.