Dining room closed due to health hazard – The Lafayette

The salad bar and deli area at Marquis Dining Hall was closed for several days for drywall repairs and was subsequently closed last week for a health investigation. TInitially it was stated that the area was contaminated with asbestos, but further investigation revealed that it was fiberglass.

According to college spokesman Scott Morse, During the renovation to remove asbestos, “contrary to initial information, no asbestos was discovered in the affected area.”

Tony Williams, the district manager for Parkhurst Dining, declined to comment, deferring comment to Morse.

Morse added that all areas of the dining room have now reopened. He did not respond to specific questions about the extent of fiber in the area.

Unlike asbestos, fiberglass is not known to be carcinogenic to humans, although its exposure could have irritating effects on the body, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control.

According to Goldberg, Persky & White, a Pennsylvania-based law firm specializing in asbestos litigation, “Fiberglass is often confused with asbestos by homeowners and construction professionals. Both materials have a similar appearance and are used for many of the same purposes.”

The college warned the campus about the asbestos in last Thursday's Lafayette Today. The announcement claimed that facility personnel discovered the material during a routine repair. According to Morse, those repairs are now complete.

The area was immediately locked down and the dining room was closed Sunday for a health inspection, the announcement said. TThe area would only reopen after proper cleaning and approval from a health inspector.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “asbestos-containing materials that are not damaged or disturbed are unlikely to pose a health risk.” However, if such materials are disturbed, those exposed are at increased risk of “developing lung disease.”

Sam McEntee, 28, a resident of Marquis Hall, expressed concern about possible asbestos in her residence hall. She said she was frustrated when the dining room closed.

“Because we live in Marquis, all we got was the Lafayette Today article and an email that they were turning off the water,” McEntee said. “More communication would have been better.”

Several students approached about the incident had no knowledge of it.

Elisabeth Seidel '26 contributed reporting.