While students worked out in Hutchinson Gymnasium's makeshift hallway weight room last week, workers were removing asbestos from the pipes in the next room. But Recreation Department Director Robert Glascott said officials took measures to protect the area of removal, adding that the asbestos levels were not harmful. "We put up a temporary wooden wall [to enclose the area]," Glascott said. "It appears to me that they got it all and I assume that there is no more down there." The asbestos was discovered in Hutch's basement weight room -- which is being renovated due to poor ventilation and flooring problems. The pipe insulation in the weight room contained the asbestos. Students who use the weights, that were temporarily relocated in the hallway outside the weight room, expressed concern that the hallway area stayed open and no one provided adequate notification. "I wish they would have made people more aware about it," College junior and Undergraduate Assembly member Eric Tienou said. "It was kept really low-key." Tienou said he knew of only one sign posted in the area indicating that asbestos removal was taking place, adding that officials should have provided more information for the students using the weight room. "People that worked out in the weight room should have been notified about it in advance," he said. University Health and Safety Technician James Sillhart said the amount of asbestos on the pipes was so minute, it was practically immeasurable. "Asbestos materials are only harmful when they become airborne," he added. "We kept everything covered." He said the area where asbestos removal took place was isolated from the general renovation project, as well as the adjoining rooms and hallways. And Recreation Department Assistant Director John Hamrick said the asbestos was located in an area "not open to the public." "Everything was fine and no one was in danger," he said. Asbestos is not limited to Hutch, Sillhart said. When many campus buildings are being renovated, asbestos is found and then removed. Sillhart could not say how many facilities on campus contain asbestos, but indicated that "many" buildings on campus have the problem, although it has never been in harmful amounts or open areas. "Some of the buildings have asbestos in the pipe insulation," he said. "When areas come up for renovations, people are relocated and it is a good time to get in and do it." In addition, while the asbestos abatement takes place, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety monitors the entire process. In the case of the Hutch weight room, Philadelphia Air Management Services also inspected the area, Sillhart said.
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