Asbestos abatement performed in Harvey Hall

MENOMONIE, WI — After a recent steam pipe leak at the University of Wisconsin at Stout's Harvey Hall exposed insulation believed to contain asbestos, officials quickly addressed concerns about proper containment and other safety issues, according to the Dunn County News.
According to the story, the original leak was found November 12 and abatement was performed two days later.

Classes were held in the room on November 16, but a maintenance worker reported that there were additional questionable areas in close proximity to the portion of the ceiling that was abated and that plastic containment was needed, the story stated.

Doug Mell, director of university communications, said: "We were notified by maintenance that there was a potential small problem with a pipe in the ceiling of Harvey Hall. We had two certified asbestos people who went in to inspect the ceiling. They closed the room, sealed the pipe and then reopened the room. The whole system worked the way it was supposed to. Our written policy was followed to the 'T' and that policy is posted on our website."
Dirty Ducts Cleaning was contracted to perform the asbestos abatement, and upon completing the job, performed an indoor air quality test to ensure the building was safe for occupation, the story noted.

According to the article, it is believed that the contractor missed a spot "about the size of a fingernail," and a trained in-house employee abated the area in question.

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