February 17th, 2008

The Department of Environmental Protection began to investigate the presence of asbestos in the local landfill last month. Lee County announced this week that asbestos has been found in the public landfill.

When locals began calling the Department of Environmental Protections about the Lee County landfill, the agency was concerned. Anonymous tips from the public stated that asbestos had been illegally dumped at the local landfill, potentially causing a public health concern. After conducting an investigation into the allegations, Lee County announced this week that crushed piping containing asbestos has been found at the landfill. Neither the county nor the DEP would say how much asbestos was found at the public site.

The discovery confirms fears of asbestos exposure, since the material can be hazardous and has been linked to many types of illnesses. When asbestos is disposed of, it needs to be safely handled during removal and sealed before it is disposed of in an approved place. The Lee County landfill is not approved for receiving asbestos, and the material was not sealed or packaged according to safe procedures. When asbestos is mishandled it breaks apart into airborne particles, which can be inhaled and lead to different types of cancer including mesothelioma.