MSU Denver and AHEC are launching an investigation into whether or not the cancer diagnoses of four West Classroom employees are related to their place of work, the school announced Wednesday evening in a press release.

The faculty members all worked in the same area of the West Classroom, and two seem to have the same diagnoses. The results of the testing are due back by August 8.

“These independent evaluations will each include a Certified Industrial Hygienist to review the findings, benchmarking against Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards,” the release states. “Once these results are available, we will communicate with the University community.”

In 2010, remodeling revealed asbestos in West Classroom. Since then, environmental testing of asbestos and leaded water have come clean and the campus is certain that the building is safe to be occupied. The two-floor building is home to a number of classes, and the Political Science department has its offices in the building.

While West has been cleared of asbestos, the campus has a recent history with the dangerous mineral.

In 2016, the P.E. building was closed due to asbestos. Then in April 2019, the locker rooms were closed due to asbestos.

A town hall meeting will be held tomorrow in the King Center Recital Hall at 11 a.m. until noon. People who cannot attend are encouraged to submit questions via phone at 303-556-2165, as well as tune into a live stream of the event.

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