UI library staff allowed to go home due to fumes

IOWA CITY - About a dozen University of Iowa library staff members were relocated Friday, and another handful chose to go home, after fumes from an asbestos abatement project wafted through the main library.

Crews working on the project on Thursday began using a solvent to remove an adhesive on the main library's fifth floor, according to UI spokesman Tom Moore. The workers were blowing the fumes out of the building using a type of fan, but Moore said atmospheric conditions Friday brought some of the fumes back into the building.

“It was stronger in some parts of the building than others,” Moore said.

According to reports, Moore said, the first floor was more affected than other floors.  Some staff members described the odor as an unpleasant turpentine smell. Others described it as a citrus smell, Moore said.

“So we offered staff alternative work locations,” he said. “If they felt like they didn't want to accept the option to move, they were given the option to go home.”

About 12 staff members relocated, and a handful went home, Moore said.

“The crew hopes to finish the process tomorrow, so the plan is that by Monday, things should be back to normal,” Moore said Friday.

Moore said he didn't have any information on whether any students complained or had to be relocated. He said library services were not affected.