February 25th, 2008

Against protests from locals, a new type of asbestos removal was used this week on an old Fort Worth, Texas apartment building. The new method does not remove the asbestos prior to a building being demolished.

Despite opposition from locals and neighbors, a new method of asbestos abatement was tested this week in Texas. The new method is almost like the “wet” method of removing asbestos from a building slated to be demolished. The difference in this new method, however, has some locals nervous about the public’s safety. The abatement does not remove asbestos from a building prior to it being demolished. The building is sprayed with foam, which is used to keep asbestos particles from becoming airborne. Opposition says this means of asbestos abatement could lead to more cases of mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases since the dangerous material is not removed prior to demolition. The EPA has been studying this type of removal, which can be less expensive then traditional abatement, for years and states that it is no more dangerous then the “dry” method. Only part of the building was demolished with the new method; air tests will be conducted in the affected part of the building. The rest of the building will have traditional abatement, and air tests from that demolition will be compared with samples from the new method.