Amidst union concerns that employees at the Fogg Art Museum suffer from an abnormally high incidence of cancer, the University commissioned an independent study last spring--to be released next week--of asbestos and other hazardous materials at the two museums.

The report found that, though three mild human carcinogens are used in small quantities in the Fogg's art conservation laboratory, there is no evidence linking the compounds to any employee illness. The study also gave the museum high marks for health and safety overall.

According to Harvard University Art Museums (HUAM) Operations Manager James A. Moisson, the study "does not indicate that the facility is a hazardous place to work…It's safe to say that things are good."

A union official who agitated for the study has not yet seen a draft of the report and says he remains skeptical about the University's response to the complaints.

The exact number of employees who have fallen ill is a matter of contention.

Stephen G. McCombe, the president of the Harvard University Security, Parking and Museum Guards Union, said at least 10 people who work at the Fogg have cancer. By contrast, the study's director, Kevin M. Coghlan, said only a "handful" of employees, "definitely under 10," had informed the firm during a town meeting and in a questionnaire that they had cancer.

Moisson said there was no evidence of an abnormally high rate of cancer among employees at the Fogg.

"There is no information that there is an extraordinary incidence of cancer [at the Fogg]," he said. "The numbers don't jump out and say there's a cancer cluster here."