Asbestos a risk for Des Moines Workers and Residents

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.