The two asbestos abatement tents in the Quad are preventing the release of airborne asbestos particles.
University Facility Services is replacing the insulation in the steam tunnels under campus — steam tunnels originally insulated with asbestos.
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission website, asbestos can cause lung cancer when inhaled in high doses.
The University tunnel system moves steam to heat buildings. Steam tunnels also contain the chilled water line, transporting cool water to the building and warm water to the cogeneration plant.
Dave Maharrey, associate executive director of facility and utility operations, said when the asbestos abatement is complete, utility workers will be able to repair the tunnels without the use of special equipment. Regulations require utility workers to wear protective equipment because of the threat of deteriorating asbestos.
“The workers that are working on it are qualified, trained and licensed,” Maharrey said.
The abatement tents are also used as entry points for workers.
Maharrey said Facility Services uses negative air machines in the tunnels as an extra form of precaution. These machines capture the contaminated air, ensuring no asbestos particles are released on campus.
Although Maharrey ensures there is no need for concern, graduate student Abigail Smithson admits the situation is worrisome.
Smithson compared this asbestos work to the issues surrounding the Studio Arts Building.
“I know there were also some issues in the Studio Art Building last year before I was a student with some asbestos problems and ventilations issues with some of the rooms we’re using chemistry in,” Smithson said.
Biology freshman Erica Madison and Smithson agreed Facility Services seems to be taking proper precautions by placing the abatement tents over the vents.
Madison said the tents block the entryway in the Quad.
Smithson said she has never noticed the tent, but it appears to be blocking the flow of student traffic after giving it a second look.
Maharrey could not give a date for the completion of the project because of the labyrinth of tunnels under the campus.
“I don’t think we have a set timeline to be done,” Maharrey said. “We are just kind of doing it in pieces.”
He said he believes there are two tents on campus now, but could not tell how many more there will be in the future.
“We’re being aggressive about it right now,” Maharrey said.
This project was delayed last spring when asbestos particles contaminated muddy water in the tunnels. Facility Services cleaned the tunnel completely, prolonging the project.
Maharrey said they have not encountered this problem in the steam tunnels under the Quad.
“The Union tunnels were more compromised,” Maharrey said.

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Emily Brauner

LSU treats the quad for asbestos.