Iowa State students may be wondering about the little, opaque huts in the middle of campus. They are not places to escape the heat — they are asbestos huts.

“We are doing asbestos abatement in the steam tunnels that run across campus,” said Paul Richmond, manager of industrial hygiene. “The huts give workers entrance to the steam tunnels.”

This abatement project is the predecessor to an upgrade project for the steam tunnels, he said.

“We have to get the asbestos out of the way before the upgrade can start,” Richmond said.

The obvious concern some students may have with the huts is the fear of exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogen.

However, there is little chance of risk if students do not go into the huts, said a representative from First Nurse at Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Jason Schissel, sophomore in physics and math, said he was not concerned about the huts.

“We have a campus full of engineers, so let them worry about it,” Schissel said. “I think people tend to get over-excited.”

Jay Withee, freshman in political science and history, agreed that the huts don’t worry him when he walks to class.

The lack of concern among students is justified, Richmond said.

“There is no threat or danger, provided these huts are not dismantled,” he said.

Those working in the tunnels also are under no danger of exposure to themselves or of exposing the public, Richmond said. He said the huts offer shower facilities and other safety precautions that remove the asbestos threat.

As for the other asbestos areas on campus, including some residence halls where the potential for exposure is greater, no plans are in the works for removal, Richmond said.

“No plans to abate the asbestos in Towers [residence halls] are in progress,” he said. “The necessary steps have been taken to provide safety, and the areas of concern are checked twice a year.”