Floor tiles in Coleman Hall will be replaced over Spring Break or in early summer, members of Facilities Planning and Management said.

The process of removing the old tiles and replacing them with new ones won’t take long, said Stephen Shrake, director of the physical plant.

The replacement tiles cost Eastern less than $2,000 and the money came from deferred maintenance funds, he said.

The old tiles, located in the 2000 level on the north side of the building, contain asbestos, but that is not why they are being replaced.

“Floor tiles that are maintained and are in good condition present little exposure to asbestos,” said Gary Hanebrink, chief safety officer for Facilities Planning and Management.

The tiles are being replaced because the adhesive used on them is failing and they are loose, Shrake said.

Asbestos is used in floor tiles because it is strong and durable. In recent times, insulation, shingles, plaster and even clothes have been found to contain asbestos.

Despite its many uses, asbestos can cause serious health problems, including a long-term disease of the lungs or lung cancer, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Web site.

Floor tiles that contain asbestos are only a health problem when the tile becomes abraded, or chafed, Shrake said. To prevent abrading, the building service workers use a wet method for cleaning the floors.

Despite the health concerns, “floor tile is one of the more stable products that contain asbestos,” Shrake said.

When the work begins, state licensed workers and approved removal methods will be used to remove the tiles, Hanebrink said.These methods are designed to protect the occupants of the building during the removal process.

State removal methods listed on the IEPA Web site, www.epa.state.il.us, say that during asbestos removal, the following regulations must be followed:

“A National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants trained person must be present and the area from which the asbestos will be removed should be sealed off and any forced-air heating systems should be shut off.”

The IEPA also requires workers to wear protective gear and that they decontaminate themselves when the removal process is complete.