January 3rd, 2008

State agencies in Wyoming released a plan this week to monitor exposed asbestos north of Cheyenne. While the air monitors are helpful, residents near the area are disappointed that the debris will not be cleaned and removed.

When Wyoming state agencies began to investigate exposed asbestos north of Cheyenne, many residents in the area were guessing that the site would be cleaned, as was recommended by independent contractors. Residents were disappointed this week, however, when the state plan was revealed and air quality monitors were suggested. Many people are afraid that the asbestos will become airborne, affecting the health of nearby residents regardless of the monitoring. Some residents think the monitoring is a cheaper alternative to cleaning the site, which swayed the state in their decision.

Residents have a right to worry, since airborne asbestos has been linked to emphysema and mesothelioma, a type of deadly lung cancer. Mesothelioma results from asbestos fibers keeping the lungs from absorbing oxygen. The tissue in the lungs dies from the suffocation, and slowly kills the victim. While air monitors can detect airborne asbestos fibers, by the time a response is planned damage could already be done to local people.