Chafee Social Science Center

The University of Rhode closed the Chafee Social Science building, the largest facility on the Kingston Campus, in December 2000 based on test results that show elevated levels of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in soil outside and in sections inside of the high rise office building. After cleanup and final testing were completed, concentrations of detectable PCBs were below regulatory guidelines. A final report on the remediation project was submitted to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. As the 2002-03 academic year began, the Chafee Social Sciences Center was fully open and re-occupied. Below are links to information related to the closure: Chafee News Release Archive Chaffe Social Science Center rededicated (10/15/02) Work on chafee Social Science Center nears completion (2/11/2002) URI notifying chafee staff, faculty, graduate students of medical testing (2/11/2002) Faculty, staff move into Chafee low-rise section (8/31/2001) Chafee remediation work proceeds on schedule (7/13/2001) Chafee Hall epidemiological study, plans progress (7/13/2001) Chafee test results confirm PCB sources; URI sets cleanup goals, schedule for building re-occupancy (5/1/2001) Environmental test results on Woodward Hall (4/13/2001) Phase II testing of building materials points to possible source(s) of PCBs in Chafee (3/9/2001) Epidemiological team meets with advisory group (3/5/2001) Phase II Source Sampling Completed on Chafee; Epidemiological Team to Meet with Advisory Committee (2/20/2001) Ballentine-Chafee Timeline (2/16/2001) Ballentine Hall test results released (1/25/2001) Epidemiological team selected for Chafee study (1/25/2001) URI completes relocation plan for classes (1/12/2001) Scientists present Chafee Hall Phase I findings (1/10/2001) Chafee Air Sample Results Reported (1/5/2001) Testing Completed in Chafee (1/3/2001) URI Closes Building on Kingston Campus (12/23/2000) Test Results Phase II Suspected Materials Testing Results Chafee Social Science Center Phase I results Ballentine Hall results Information about PCBs Q&A by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Summary U.S. EPA and Dept. of Health Health Information National Cancer Institute regarding cancer clusters National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Where to go for updates or more information: URI home page Dean of College of Arts and Sciences Winifred Brownell, 401-874-4101 Assistant Vice President, Business Services J. Vern Wyman, 401-874-5478 Director of Communications Linda A. Acciardo, 401-874-2116