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People who work on the third floor of a University of Montana science building say asbestos abatement taking place one floor higher left them concerned about their health.

University officials say an independent consultant will be hired to address the concerns.

Faculty and staff on the fourth floor of the Clapp Building were asked to vacate their work areas for the abatement project that began last month. As contractors began removing asbestos from the building's interior, debris and dust fell on the third floor ceiling.

Dust entered a third-floor office occupied by 16 members of the Geology Department, said Steve Sheriff, the department's chairman. People worried the dust contained asbestos, which is associated with respiratory problems and other disorders in humans.

"We have carefully examined all available information for an extended period, and as a result we are not convinced that current practices of environmental monitoring guarantee the safety of this work environment," two dozen people who work in the building wrote campus administrators. "The current situation is having a strong negative impact on both our teaching and research mission."

The letter asked that the university obtain an independent review of campus decisions about air monitoring and testing for airborne asbestos. Sheriff said faculty members were concerned air sampling has largely tested hallways, and has not covered the general office environment.

"We have a bunch of Ph.D scientists in this building, all of whom are good at testing, and we feel there is a better way to sample this building," Sheriff said.

Air sampling has indicated low risk to human health, but more analysis will be undertaken, said Dan Corti, environmental health director at the university.

"The recent letter raised some issues that had not been specifically examined at the level of detail requested, and as such, the university is committed to obtaining outside expertise to address those concerns," Corti said.

The abatement project was expected to cost about $750,000, he said. Hiring a consultant will add about $10,000.

"In the relative scheme of things, and to address everybody's concerns and provide peace of mind for everyone, the cost is well worth it," Corti said.

Earlier assessments involved two state agencies and a private industrial hygienist, he said.

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