Mesothelioma attorneys Clapper Patti Schweizer & Mason represent clients every day who suffer from asbestos cancer and diseases after being exposed to the toxic mineral. With the recent controversy in Canada, whether it is safe to re-open asbestos mining and continue to export to other nations, the statement that "there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos" by Inspector General Elkins of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is more than welcome by those of us who watch as thousands die due to an exposure that could so easily be prevented.
The latest report comes after the discovery that the EPA actually allowed unsafe handling of asbestos by their own employees and contract workers during tests in Texas and Arkansas in 2006 and 2007 and recently in Washington and possibly Kentucky during demolition of buildings known to contain the carcinogen.
Inspector General Elkins states in an early warning report released last week: "... settled dust results obtained from testing during AACM demolition experiments at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and Fort Worth, Texas, demonstrated asbestos fiber releases video footage and. photos show government employees and contractors at the demolition sites without personal protective equipment, a possible violation of OSHA asbestos worker protection requirements. Because settled dust results indicate that asbestos escaped the restricted areas, unprotected workers adjacent to the restricted areas and all members of the public in the vicinity of the sites may have been exposed. EPA should identify the workers who were present, and notify them according to OSHA regulations. Furthermore, the EPA report surrounding the public about potential asbestos exposure in these AACM experiments. "
Elkins further states all government agencies should immediately stop any further use of non-approved method for the removal of asbestos during demolition of contaminated buildings on other websites that are considering using the alternative.
regulations on the removal of asbestos containing materials were originally created in Asbestos NESHAP rule in 1973.???? This rule requires that all materials are known or suspected to contain asbestos must be removed by trained combat specialists wearing special protective gear before a building can be demolished. EPA was experimenting with using an alternative Asbestos Control Method (AACM), which later turned out to be unsafe, with tests after demolition showing asbestos in the air beyond safety levels as defined by the asbestos NESHAP.
If the asbestos is determined to become brittle, could sense reduced to powder by hand pressure, crumbled or pulverized when dry (NESHAP, Sec.141.), So it poses a threat of exposure that could later lead to serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Air tests performed in places where the alternative method was used as well as internal documents showed that the wet method used was inadequate and released toxic fibers into the air.
It was only after a public righteousness, and Natural Resources Defense Council, two environmental advocacy groups filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and sued for extradition from the EPA, the Inspector General has finally put immediate end to the alternative method and reiterated that no level of exposure to asbestos is safe.
Clapper Patti Schweizer & Mason, mesothelioma attorneys who have fought for the rights of those injured by asbestos in more than thirty years, roses Elkins' recent statement and move to prohibit any unsafe methods of removing asbestos. Visit our website, updated daily, for the most current news about asbestos and mesothelioma.
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