February 21st, 2007

An ongoing dispute is continuing between the Architect of the Capitol and a group of tunnel workers, with the rows centering around the workers having to face exposure to high levels of asbestos in the old tunnels in which they have to work.

According to an attorney that is working to represent the tunnel workers, the Architect of the Capital has been aware for a number of years of the health hazards and dangers faced by workers in the old tunnels as the result of high levels of asbestos.

Asbestos is a substance that cab cause a range of health problems through exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fibers, and this includes an asbestos related cancer known as mesothelioma as well as a range of other serious health problems, such as respiratory problems and diseases and lung scarring.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health was asked to assess and evaluate the situation by the tunnel workers involved, and as a result of their investigation Institute officials concluded that the levels of asbestos in the tunnels were dangerously high.