Des Moines, Iowa - May 11, 2009
Des Moines residents and workers who have spent time in the Equitable Building face are now concerned that they may be at risk for developing asbestos-related health problems such as mesothelioma.
Workers may have been exposed to asbestos for several years while the building was under renovation. The building's owner, Bob Knapp, has been fined $500,000 for failing to identify and properly remove asbestos.
When asbestos dust and fibers become airborne, which can happen during renovations, the tiny particles can become permanently lodged in the soft tissues of the lungs. Asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Offices in the building have been tested, and results revealed that asbestos fibers were present in the office.
This is not the first time Mr. Knapp has been cited for asbestos-related mishaps. By law, building owners and all others who discover asbestos and wish to conduct subsequent abatement must inform their local and state environmental protection authorities before proceeding. A permit is required for asbestos removal, and follow-up air quality monitoring is also typically required.
Asbestos is commonly found in older buildings, where it is a component in building materials ranging from siding to insulation to fireproofing. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, and it was once prized for use in certain building materials because it has a natural resistance to chemicals and flame.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Washington State Honors Fallen Workers, Asbestos Deaths
Olympia, Washington - May 10, 2009
Last year 81 workers died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses in Washington State.
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries held a memorial ceremony last week to honor those workers who perished due to workplace injury or illness. The governor spoke, and friends and families of the dearly departed rang a memorial bell to honor those who lost their lives in the last year.
In Washington and throughout the nation, about 2,500 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, and can kill victims within months of diagnosis. Mesothelioma is attributed almost exclusively to asbestos exposure.
Workers at shipyards, mines, schools, and other locations around the United States risk asbestos exposure on a daily basis if their workplace contains the deadly substance. Due to a long latency period, it can be up to several decades after the initial exposure until mesothelioma is diagnosed.
There were 13 cases of death by asbestos-related disease on the list of 81 people who perished. All were people who died long after their initial contact with the deadly material.
In a world where people are going crazy about finding masks to ward off the swine flu, it is chilling to note that the number of asbestos-related deaths may not peak until 2010. Perhaps more people should wear the masks when doing home renovations, a growing risk for asbestos exposure.
Other professions that were featured on the list include fisherman, loggers, police officers, a mechanic, and a computer technician who fell to his death from a skylight.
Last year 81 workers died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses in Washington State.
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries held a memorial ceremony last week to honor those workers who perished due to workplace injury or illness. The governor spoke, and friends and families of the dearly departed rang a memorial bell to honor those who lost their lives in the last year.
In Washington and throughout the nation, about 2,500 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, and can kill victims within months of diagnosis. Mesothelioma is attributed almost exclusively to asbestos exposure.
Workers at shipyards, mines, schools, and other locations around the United States risk asbestos exposure on a daily basis if their workplace contains the deadly substance. Due to a long latency period, it can be up to several decades after the initial exposure until mesothelioma is diagnosed.
There were 13 cases of death by asbestos-related disease on the list of 81 people who perished. All were people who died long after their initial contact with the deadly material.
In a world where people are going crazy about finding masks to ward off the swine flu, it is chilling to note that the number of asbestos-related deaths may not peak until 2010. Perhaps more people should wear the masks when doing home renovations, a growing risk for asbestos exposure.
Other professions that were featured on the list include fisherman, loggers, police officers, a mechanic, and a computer technician who fell to his death from a skylight.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Asbestos Issues a Big Distraction at Georgia High School
Columbus, Georgia - May 9, 2009
Ongoing asbestos issues at Carver High School in Columbus, GA are raising public ire. There is asbestos in the ceiling, mold on the walls and water stains on the carpet.
The oldest buildings on the campus date from 1954.
Administrators, teachers and students say that the time has come to put an end to the near-constant stream of repairs, and build an entirely new school.
However, demolition and building a new school would cost an estimated $45 million. For school districts with already-tight budgets, asbestos abatement is often a cost that just cannot be covered without additional aid, often from state grants or federal funding.
One hallway is known to have asbestos in the ceiling, which prompted workers to drill into the walls to run conduits for electrical lines and Internet. If asbestos was disturbed, the asbestos dust could be inhaled by students and teachers, which could lead to mesothelioma later in life.
A public forum was recently held to discuss the issues plaguing the school. Members of the community feel that the school's issues have been neglected for too long.
Walter Gould said he was concerned about the asbestos and mold issues in the school, and is disappointed in the way that school district has let the school fall into such disrepair.
"Carver High didn't just come up with these problems yesterday," he said at the forum held at Baker Middle School on Monday.
Superintendent Susan Andrews responded: "You're right, it did not get in that shape overnight. It's been added onto and added onto. Some of it is the age of different pieces," Andrews said. "Some of it is deferred maintenance."
Ongoing asbestos issues at Carver High School in Columbus, GA are raising public ire. There is asbestos in the ceiling, mold on the walls and water stains on the carpet.
The oldest buildings on the campus date from 1954.
Administrators, teachers and students say that the time has come to put an end to the near-constant stream of repairs, and build an entirely new school.
However, demolition and building a new school would cost an estimated $45 million. For school districts with already-tight budgets, asbestos abatement is often a cost that just cannot be covered without additional aid, often from state grants or federal funding.
One hallway is known to have asbestos in the ceiling, which prompted workers to drill into the walls to run conduits for electrical lines and Internet. If asbestos was disturbed, the asbestos dust could be inhaled by students and teachers, which could lead to mesothelioma later in life.
A public forum was recently held to discuss the issues plaguing the school. Members of the community feel that the school's issues have been neglected for too long.
Walter Gould said he was concerned about the asbestos and mold issues in the school, and is disappointed in the way that school district has let the school fall into such disrepair.
"Carver High didn't just come up with these problems yesterday," he said at the forum held at Baker Middle School on Monday.
Superintendent Susan Andrews responded: "You're right, it did not get in that shape overnight. It's been added onto and added onto. Some of it is the age of different pieces," Andrews said. "Some of it is deferred maintenance."
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