Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Leon Johnson Hall, an eight story lab building at Montana State University, was closed last Thursday due to possible threat of asbestos exposure.  Renovation was being performed, which included the removal of ceiling tiles.  After three weeks of the project being underway, a worker was observed disposing of damaged ceiling tile which contained asbestos.   

Asbestos was used in many construction products, including ceiling tiles, until the 1980’s because of its heat and fire resistant properties, affordability and accessibility.  Exposure to asbestos is also known to cause serious diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.  The workers at Leon Johnson Hall were not wearing any protective gear or taking federally mandated precautions.  Therefore the Hall was closed to test air quality and make sure that no one in the building was at risk of exposure.

It was announced that the Hall will reopen for classes on Monday  after test results came back on Saturday showing safe air quality levels.  Air quality test results came back negative, meaning that they were well below the lowest acceptable standard of 15 fiber level. 

The buildings are being rekeyed, staff and students have been notified of the reopening and classes resuming as normal, and workers will continue, only this time with more caution to ensure that asbestos is not released into the air.