Facility Services began the process of cleaning asbestos from the steam tunnels under the Student Union last week. While the asbestos, which had insulated the pipes in the underground tunnel, isn’t harmful to students passing above, Dave Maharrey, associate executive director of Facility Services, said removing the asbestos will make repairs easier.
Maharrey said the task will last three weeks and aims to “increase efficiency and save energy.” Once the project is complete, repairing the pipes will require far fewer resources in the form of protective gear, he said. Maharrey said current repairs are tedious because of the required protection against hazardous materials.
Maharrey explained the asbestos in the tunnels has become friable, meaning it has deteriorated into particles small enough to implant themselves into the recesses of people’s throats and lungs if inhaled. Maharrey said asbestos in this form is carcinogenic.
Vincent Wilson, School of the Coast and Environment undergraduate programs director, said mesothelioma, a severe cancer, is the signature disease caused by asbestos.
“The problem with asbestos is the size of the fibers it releases. It reacts with our cellular material in a way that is not totally understood,” Wilson said.
He said the risk of illness resulting from asbestos depends on the dose. Any amount of asbestos fibers coming out of the vent would be insignificant, causing little to no harm, Wilson said.
“Students aren’t in real danger,” Wilson concluded.
Gill Industries, a business specializing in asbestos cleanup, was contracted for the job, which involves clearing steam pipes of asbestos that originally insulated them, Maharrey said. The asbestos will be replaced with new, safe insulation, he added.
Students say the asbestos tent covering the vent, which usually spews forth a considerable amount of steam on the Parade Ground, has them looking twice.
Psychology freshman Madison Lusco said she trusts the University to keep students safe from any environmental hazards.
“Officials would never allow anything like this to reach a point where students could be hurt,” Lusco said.
“I was going to put a Papier-Mâché volcano over it, but now my plan is ruined.”

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Richard Redmann

Black tents cover tunnels being cleaned of asbestos under LSU's campus.