April 8th, 2005

The residents of a subdivision of Klamath Falls have asked the federal government for relocation after it was discovered that an asbestos burial site was located beneath the homes in the subdivision. It has been shown that contaminated soil could affect the health of children and residents in the area, hence the residents’ request to be relocated.

The developer of the site is being served with a three million dollar lawsuit by the Oregon Department of Justice, with the suit claiming that the land was sold and the information about the asbestos site was purposely kept quiet during the sale. The developer is said to have simply ignored the warnings about the presence of the site a decade ago, which has led to many residents living on top of the burial site and endangering their own and their families’ health.

The families concerned have started a petition to send to the Environmental Protection Agency to back up their fight for relocation. The subdivision is home to around 60 residents, with about two dozen children living in the subdivision also. One resident told of how she had to keep her daughter indoors when it was dry or windy in case asbestos fibres contaminated the air. She stated: "We want her to be able to go outside and play."

The EPA has now ordered more tests and studies into the likelihood of harmful health effects caused by the asbestos site, but this could take a couple of years.