Archive for category Exposure

Tomorrow I’m getting on a plane to attend the Miles for Meso 5K in Boca Raton.  All the proceeds from this race/walk will be donated to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation to support research and treatment options for people suffering from this asbestos-related disease.  While we are out supporting this important cause something quite opposite is being planning close by.

Officials in West Palm Beach are planning an implosion of a 30 story building  that may contain asbestos for the same day.  This will be the third largest implosion to take place in the United States.  Residents close to the 1515  S. Flagler Drive Tower which is scheduled for  “controlled collapse” are concerned.  Experts and city officials claim this is the safest way to take the building down.  They report imploding the building with explosives has less risks than traditional demolition with a wrecking ball.  There is some debate about the safety due to past problems with other implosions.

There is also a concern about possible asbestos exposure.  Originally the building was said to contain asbestos.  A later test result showed levels of asbestos were not high enough to stop the plans for imploding the building.  Experts are saying the dust should fall straight down because it will be thick and heavy.  Critics would say any asbestos exposure is a risk.  It is known that asbestos fibers released into the air can cause future health issues including mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Officials reports they are taking all necessary precautions and putting safeguards in place to protect the public.  Let’s hope that all goes smoothly.  And that our race gets as much attention as this story.

Read the story at Demolition team aims for controlled collapse of 1515 Tower

The Philadelphia Daily News reported on a disturbing practice of workers in the local housing authority maintenance staff.  Workers allege they were instructed to use unsafe asbestos handling practices while making repairs for the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

Two workers claim they have disposed of asbestos into unit walls and the PHA dumpsters.  One of the carpenters took photos and samples of the debris to support his allegations.  He reports becoming concerned when he learned workers have been encouraged to “get the job done” despite possible asbestos exposure while completing repairs in the Housing Authority complex.  Robert Smith contacted the Daily News last month to express his concerns.  He states he made PHA managers, union leaders and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aware of the practices and his concerns were not addressed.  Both workers are fearful of the long term consequences of asbestos exposure and losing their livelihood.

Asbestos removal and abatement can only be performed by trained and licensed contractors per local and state laws.  Unsafe handling can put workers, their families and the tenants at risk of future health issues.  Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses, but most asbestos related health issues have a latency period of 10-40 years.

PHA executives have denied the allegations and insist that workers follow asbestos laws.  They sent in a project manager who completed a visual inspection and then claimed the units to be safe.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the city Health Department decided to further investigate the carpenter’s claim.  They sent in their own investigators to complete “wipe samples” and air testing.  Lab results are expected today.  If the EPA investigation finds the asbestos handling rules were broken, PHA could receive civil sanctions and fines.

Read more at Toxic Haste