EPA Testing For Asbestos Surrounding
Ground Zero Will Go Forward
by Steve Rinaldi
After nearly four years, the
EPA announced on November 29 that it will begin testing of
residential and commercial spaces which may have been
exposed to environmental toxins following the 9/11 destruction
of the World Trade centers. In a much-maligned plan
by local residents and even EPA panel member, testing of
structures in lower Manhattan will begin in early in 2006. The
area within borders between Canal street to the north and west
of Pike and Allen Streets will be evaluated for a number of
substances which could pose a risk to residents, including
asbestos. Testing will be done on
a voluntary basis.
Asbestos was used for insulation in the north tower of the
World Trade center through the 40th floor. As a result of the
collapse of the buildings, an enormous amount of debris
containing asbestos was released into the air. In the week
following the disaster, New Yorkers were told that the air was
safe to breathe; yet were also instructed to clean dust
carefully and avoid inhalation. The EPA later concluded that
the announcement that the air was not dangerous was premature.
Because of the prolonged period of time before disease
manifests, it will be years before the true toll of asbestos
exposure surrounding Ground Zero will be revealed.
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Asbestos in Floor Tiles
James Mahony
If you have even a passing
interest in the topic of
asbestos, then you should take
a look at the following
information. This enlightening
article presents some of the
latest news on the subject of
asbestos.
Since the discovery of the
deadly effects asbestos has on
health, the Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) has
created regulations to control
the management, removal and
disposal of asbestos material.
One of the materials containing
asbestos is vinyl floor tile
(VAT). To handle them safely it
is important to ensure that the
material is in non-friable
state. If the material is
friable, the asbestos fibers
can be freed when smashed.
Generally, VAT is regarded as
non-friable if it is not
damaged.
When removing asbestos floor
tiles, some problems might
arise that can be potentially
hazardous. Some of the
difficulties that you will have
to tackle are breathing through
respirator which demands a
greater effort from the heart
and lungs. The vision is
reduced because of the use of
safety glasses.
It seems like new information
is discovered about something
every day. And the topic of
asbestos is no exception. Keep
reading to get more fresh news
about asbestos.
The removal of VAT has to be
done in whole pieces in order
to be regarded as non-friable.
It vital that in the process of
abatement the tiles are not
sawed, drilled or reduced to
dust.
Before starting the work, it is
important to isolate other
materials with a plastic cover
to avoid the fibers to move.
Place a different sheet of
plastic in the area where the
tiles are to be kept.
The material that is being
removed should be wetted with a
hose or any other tool to
prevent them from becoming
airborne. The tiles removed
should be kept as intact
pieces.
The tiles should be put in leak
proof containers such as
plastic bags and the sign "
DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAING
MATERIALS" must be placed on
the container. Sometimes it's
tough to sort out all the
details related to this
subject, but I'm positive
you'll have no trouble making
sense of the information
presented above.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Articles for Website
Content
About the author:
James Mahony is the founder of
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Information, A site
dedicated to mesothelioma and
asbestos information
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Articles for Website
Content
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While the plan calls for an expenditure of $7 million,
those who oppose the plan feel it is inadequate. Concerned
residents argued at a meeting at the Alexander Hamilton US
customs house on December 13 that the testing is flawed because
of it’s tightly limited geographical area, questionable
methodology and voluntary nature. Distrust of the government
agency stems from assurances by former EPA Administrator
Christine Todd-Whitman that the air surrounding the site of the
terrorist attack was safe to breathe in the days after the
collapse. Timothy Oppelt, Chair of the EPA technical panel
investigating the issue was quoted in NY Newsday as feeling
that the plan "incorporates the best science available today."
(12/13/05).
A review of some of the comments of the panelists as posted on
the EPA website confirmed that there are many questions about
the completeness of the EPA plan. Although the area to be
tested is limited to lower Manhattan south of Canal Street,
dust and debris spread to a far wider area, into Brooklyn and
beyond. Other concerns include the testing methodology
planned.
Most published research on asbestos related illnesses related
to long-term exposure, rather that a single extreme exposure as
experienced after the WTC collapse. Mesothelioma is most often
found in asbestos workers following years of work-place
exposure. The disease has been found, however, in worker’s
spouses, presumably as a result of handling dust ridden work
garments. Little data on single exposure is available, and
leaves many questions unanswered.
This information, and the experience of the residents of the
vermiculite-mining town of Libby, Montana point to a
potentially serious problem in lower Manhattan. Blanketed by
debris on every surface, with visibility limited to just a few
feet in the days after the attack, the extreme nature of
exposure following 9/11 is unprecedented.
About the Author: Visit http://www.mesothelioma.com for
comprehensive mesothelioma and asbestos exposure
information.
Source: www.isnare.com
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