When the Indiana Daily Student newspaper reported in 2005 damaged asbestos in four campus dormitories posed a health risk, Indiana University promised to complete asbestos removal in the residence halls within ten years. Now the school says that its residence halls will be asbestos-free by 2012. Asbestos is present in many of the classrooms and buildings at IU because most were built before 1980, when asbestos was phased out as an insulation material. Since the student newspaper published its articles on the subject in 2005, the school has adopted a more rigorous inspection policy and communications program to alert students to risks. Today, asbestos removal occurs continuously at Indiana University, and a full-time asbestos removal crew has been charged with the job of inspecting, maintaining and removing asbestos throughout the campus.
For the full story, go to the Indiana Daily Student.
