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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia University official says the Coliseum has been closed after workers found possible asbestos.
University Environmental Health and Safety Director John Principe says the material is being assessed, and he hopes to have the results by the end of the day Saturday. The Coliseum was closed early Friday afternoon.
The 46-year-old building is undergoing a $15 million renovation. The arena was closed for about a year from 1999 to 2000 while asbestos abatement was performed in exposed areas, including the main arena.
It wasn't immediately known how many people were inside the building when it was closed, but the university said in a news release Friday the number included contractors as well as staff of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Principe said in the news release that material discovered Friday was encapsulated in an inaccessible area above ceilings in entrances to the restrooms ringing the concourse and didn't pose a health hazard to anyone inside the building. He said the material was only exposed by the renovation work.
The National Cancer Institute's website says asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen.
The release said university officials must determine whether changes will be necessary for commencement exercises planned at the Coliseum in two weeks.
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