Lead Paint Found in Student Residence

Lead Paint Found in Student Residence

Students living in Vincett House were surprised to discover lead paint on the walls of their residence in the last weeks of August before classes started this semester. 

After noticing paint peeling in their room, parents of one of the students living in the house contacted facilities management about the chipped coat on their walls. After examination , it was discovered to contain lead, according to Jennifer Ailey ’19, one of the students living in the house. For a two-day period of cleaning and repainting, her housemate was relocated to another residence. Ailey’s housemate was also permitted to move back in after the maintenance was finished. 

“We did not find out through the school, we found out because my friend moved in early,” said Ailey. “It was just a frustrating situation, the week before move-in.” 

The lead paint has now been completely removed. Ailey noted that the school has “been very open to communication and very up-front with us” after the paint was discovered. She also said that the building faced several other issues, including problems with the fire alarm. 

Associate Vice President for Campus Operations Kristen Kostecky detailed the facilities management policies regarding lead paint in residences. In an email, she suggested that students follow the standard work order procedure for suspected lead paint but remarked that after engaging a health and safety specialist to “understand the scope of hazardous materials on campus,” the report revealed that “lead based paint in our residential facilities is exceedingly rare.” Kostecky emphasized that “lead paint in an undisturbed state is not dangerous and primarily poses a problem only if it is ingested.” Ailey also added that the residents of Vincett House were instructed to avoid ingesting the paint. 

The incident comes at a time when numerous other buildings on campus are experiencing facilities and maintenance issues. The closure of East College for asbestos abatement is an example. For more information on the incident, refer to the article “East College Disperses Professors” printed in the Sept. 13 issue of The Dickinsonian.