Asbestos halts work on Indiana University building

Indiana University has temporarily halted renovation work on Franklin Hall after asbestos was discovered two weeks ago by construction crews.

University spokesman Mark Land says workers removing windows from the nearly 100-year-old building found caulk containing the potentially cancer-causing mineral.

The (Bloomington) Herald Times reports that an Indianapolis-based asbestos abatement firm was hired to clean the area of lead and asbestos. Construction recently was put on hold after more of the material was found.

Two dozen workers from the firm currently are cleaning every area that tested positive for asbestos. Land says the process should wrap up in a few weeks.

The $2.1 million renovation of Franklin Hall began in November and is expected to finish by next summer.