The city of Toledo, Ohio is searching for the culprits of illegal asbestos dumping. Over the last two months three separate deposits of bagged asbestos material have been found throughout the city. Materials in the bags seem to be related, although there is no certainty as of yet that they came from the same source.
The World Health Organization classifies asbestos as a Type 1 carcinogen. Causing severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis and rare cancer mesothelioma, asbestos is a serious public health hazard. Used for decades in industries throughout America, and across the world, asbestos is present in countless building and structural materials.
Considered non-threatening when contained in other materials, asbestos fibers become a risk when airborne. In residential construction asbestos is commonly associated with floor and ceiling tiles. If intact, risks of asbestos exposure from such items are low. However, after much wear and tear, or in the event of demolition, asbestos fibers can become exposed, airborne and dangerous.
If inhaled asbestos fibers can begin a mutation in lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities. This mutation grows into mesothelioma, a fatal cancer. Mesothelioma is characterized by a long latency period, between twenty and fifty years. Without knowledge of asbestos exposure, patients have no idea they could be developing mesothelioma. Following diagnosis patents average an eighteen-month life expectancy. There are mesothelioma treatments available, but no cure. Treatments include palliative care, which focuses on pain management and enhancing quality of life, as well as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
City of Toledo authorities found over 100 cubic feet of asbestos material dumped at two locations. A total of sixty bags were found in an alley on St. Lois Street in East Toledo and in an empty house in North Toledo. Just in the last two weeks another 29 bags were found on Champlain Street.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takes asbestos exposure seriously as a health risk. In its Clean Air Act, the EPA describes guidelines for maintaining and promoting air quality, which includes proper use and removal of asbestos. In accordance with these regulations, Ohio contractors are required to have certifications and special licensure to remove asbestos. An Ohio EPA air pollution control permit is also required for proper disposal of asbestos materials in approved landfills. High costs can be associated with such work; cut corners and fraudulent reporting have become a more regular occurrence nationwide.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 at 9:36 AM and is filed under News. 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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