Facilities Management: Extension 2253 or dial (860) 439-2253  
Director of EH&S: Extension 2252 or dial (860) 439-2252  
Campus Safety: 111, 2222 or dial (860) 439-2222

Immediately notify the Director of Environmental Health and Safety of all chemical and HAZMAT spills, regardless of quantity. After hours, call Campus Safety.

Over the years, there have been thousands of asbestos-containing products and applications used in building materials.  Examples of materials found at Connecticut College that may contain asbestos, are pipe and boiler insulation, ceiling tiles and associated glue daubs, older floor tiles and mastic, older window pane glazing, roofing materials, fire doors and wall plaster.  If intact and undamaged, these materials are considered to be perfectly safe.  However, if asbestos containing materials (ACM) are damaged, airborne fibers could pose a serious health threat.

Asbestos fiber release events are classified as minor and major.

  • Minor release events are when less than 3 square feet, or 3 linear feet (in the case of pipe or wiring insulation) of asbestos containing material is disturbed. College personnel who have received asbestos “Operations & Maintenance” training may clean minor spills of ACM.
  • Major release events are when more than 3 square feet or 3 linear feet (in the case of pipe or wiring insulation) of ACM are disturbed, and must be cleaned by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

If you discover damaged or spilled ACM, or presumed asbestos containing material (PACM), you should take the following actions:

  • If you do not know whether something is asbestos or not, assume that it is, until it is proven otherwise.
  • Secure all fans, A/C units, and other ventilation.
  • Disturb the material as little as possible, and take measures to prevent others from disturbing the damaged material. Prevent the spread of the spilled material by keeping people from walking through the area by closing the door and posting warning signs.
  • Contact the Director of EH&S. If the Director of EH&S is unavailable, contact the Facilites Management Work Control Desk.
  • The Director of EH&S will determine if a release is major or minor. 

Clean-up Procedures:

  • Major release events may pose a health risk to the occupants of the building, and must be cleaned up by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, and will include air clearance testing before building occupants are allowed back into the affected space.
  • Minor releases will be cleaned up by Facilities Management personnel who are trained and licensed, using wet methods and/or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter. The ACM waste and contaminated cleaning materials should be double-bagged in a polyethylene “Asbestos” bag, and taken to the asbestos waste storage facility at the service building, pending proper disposal.