Warriner Hall temporarily closed due to asbestos


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Warriner Hall has been temporarily closed due to elevated levels of asbestos found in the air on the first and second floors of the building.

Employees and guests will be temporarily reassigned to other locations or will work from home. The building houses 169 employees, mainly university administrators. 

Central Michigan University's Office of Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety was informed this afternoon. The findings are based on air samples taken Thursday evening after crews working on water lines noticed insulation and old pipes in a large air duct in the building's crawl space.

In a press release, Provost Michael Gealt said the building will be closed at least until Monday, when environmental consultants pronounce the building all clear. 

Asbestos has been a popular building material since the 50s, and was banned in 1999. Warriner Hall was finished in 1928. Asbestos can be found in ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, around windows and other parts of homes and commercial buildings. 

Symptoms of asbestos exposure show up mostly in the respiratory tract, and can include chest pain, a persistent cough and loss of appetite. If a long exposure occurs, it can lead to mesothelioma and lung cancer. However, some types of asbestos can cause lesser or different symptoms. 

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Sydney Smith is a super-senior at Central Michigan University. She comes from metro Detroit ...

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