January 31st, 2007

A plan that is due to cost in excess of $11 million for clean-up has been approved by federal officials. The clean-up involves work on a polluted waste dump that is contaminated with asbestos, which is a known carcinogenic and can cause a range of health problems through exposure to airborne fibers and dust. The site of the dump is at Valley Forge National Historic Park.

Asbestos was once widely used in a range of applications ranging from auto parts and insulation to tiling and household products. However, over recent decades more has been learned about the dangers posed by exposure to this carcinogenic, which can result in many health problems, including an incurable cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos fibers and dust known as malignant mesothelioma.

The asbestos and other toxic wastes are found in an area of around 112 acres, which are near the parking lot. The contamination resulted from a manufacturing plant that operated up until the 1970s. The plan for the clean up of the site, which will cost over $11.5 million, was approved by state environmental officials and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The federal government and the state will be largely funding the clean-up project, which will involve removal of the most heavily contaminated soils and then landscaping the area. The Keene Corporation, which operated a nearby asbestos plant is also contributing half a million dollars to the project.