EPA officials said WVU's still air testing was not enough, so WVU closed down the Col iseum's arena. WVU officials say the tests will simulate a capacity crowd with noise, wind and vibrations. The EPA wants to determine if asbestos will come loose from the ceiling during simulated basketball game noise. The classrooms and offices located around the concourse area of the building remain open. The proposal was drafted by ManTech, an air-quality firm based in Fairmont.
Federal law requires that all asbestos testing be done by an outside contractor.
Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring, but carcinogenic, mineral fibers, becomes harmful when it is airborne. Fireproof and a good insulator, asbestos was used extensively in construction until the 1970s. The Coliseum was completed in 1970. The EPA began investigating the Coliseum when an employee found a contaminated air filter in February. Return to the listing of articles of September 9, 1999.