Dr. Kate Flanigan, from the Denver office of Federal Occupational Health spoke to the Billings Gazettle about the high levels of asbestos at the Billings federal courthouse in late January 2005, early February 2005.

The highest asbestos readings last week were three times the level that triggers alarms in standards set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, she said. But OSHA doesn't start seeking medical surveillance in a building until levels exceed the standard for eight-hour periods on 30 days during a year. High readings in Billings were found on only one or two days, she said. And employees entering and leaving the lobby were not exposed for eight hours, she said.