On the 76-square-mile island of American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, the students and staff at a small community college have been complaining of serious breathing problems. It’s believed that the culprit causing the problems is probably asbestos.

A story on Radio New Zealand International reports that a building at American Samoa Community College, suspecting to be contaminated by asbestos, has been the reason for several trips to the hospital. Just last month, five staff members required respiratory treatment at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center after developing want they described as breathing difficulties. In addition, the staff members complained of incessant itching, which local Environmental Protection Agency officials say is consistent with asbestos exposure.

Prompted by all the complaints, the college – built in 1970 – has decided to close the building that seems to be causing the problems and tests will be done to determine the levels of asbestos in the air. Unfortunately, however, no one in the territory is a certified asbestos contractor, so a professional will need to be flown in from elsewhere to complete the testing. In the meantime, students, faculty, and staff hope that the closure will keep others from getting sick.

The presence of asbestos in schools and colleges is not unusual, including on the mainland U.S. Educational facilities built before the end of the 1970s almost always contain asbestos building materials – including items such as insulation and tiles - but as long as it remains undamaged or is properly encapsulated it should not pose a threat to anyone’s health. The EPA has set guidelines for the management of asbestos in public places like schools and universities and each has at least one staff member on hand who is trained to handle asbestos emergencies such as the one in American Samoa.