The US government is getting a bad rap after no response to parties concerned with Zonolite brand insulation. Zonilite brand was popular in the 1950’s and is still present in an estimated thirty-seven million buildings and homes across America. The product was made with naturally occurring vermiculite, which normally would be no cause for alarm. However, after high numbers of asbestos related illnesses became associated with Zonolite brand insulated homes, an investigation was done by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Vermiculite used in Zonolite brand insulation came from one particular mine. This mine also held strands of asbestos, which tainted the vermiculite now present in millions of US attics.
Although the US government is aware of the potential damage possible by this insulation, there seems to be no official government response to the situation. This is additionally concerning to Joel Shufro, executive director for the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. He said, “Given the tremendous government-funded winterization programs, we can expect exposure to workers to increase as they disturb the old asbestos-carrying insulations. Failure of the government to inform workers and others who may be exposed to this hazard is incorrigible. This is a well-known, aggressive carcinogen and unless people know about it, it’s a prescription for death.” Shufro adds, “I am amazed and appalled that nothing has happened.”
Dr. Aubrey Miller was the medical director for the EPA’s investigation team responding to asbestos related illnesses associated with the mine. Asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma cases were abnormally high. “Based on my experience, and my understanding of the residential and worker exposures to the asbestos in this insulation, I believe firmly that individuals are being sickened and even dying from these exposures across the country on a continuing basis,” he said.
Dr. Miller is concerned for homeowners who will come in contact with toxic dust from their tainted attic insulation this Christmas season. Christmas ornaments and decorations typically stored in attic spaces will be brought down into the home potentially covered with asbestos fibers. He said, “It’s particularly important to understand the risks for children who have higher breathing rates and will inhale more of the fibers.” He continues, “Children, especially young ones, tend to spend much of their time on the floor playing with the ornaments and toys, breathing the asbestos-contaminated dust, and have many years for the asbestos fibers that lodge in their lungs to eventually cause disease.”
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 at 6:45 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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