According to a Harvard Law spokesperson, materials containing asbestos were found in Story during a materials survey in September of 2010 done in anticipation of renovations to the building. Since then, the spokesperson said, “all of the Gropius buildings have been tested and, as is common in building materials of that era, they do contain asbestos, all of which was found to be in good, safe condition. Such intact materials do not present a health hazard.”
For Story, the spokesperson said the School “hired a licensed firm to remove the materials that were to be disturbed by construction, and removal was completed with proper notice and within all applicable regulations under the close supervision of the hygienist. All air monitoring completed in and around the work areas confirmed that there was no threat to occupant health or safety.”
As for the rest of the Gropius buildings, the spokesperson said, “as with Story, when the buildings undergo renovations next summer, the project will be managed by a licensed contractor in a controlled, safe manner.”
