May 9th, 2008

A City Hall in a Georgia town is causing a raucous after asbestos was found in the basement. City officials say they are taking all precautions, but workers and residents say that is not the case.

Residents around a Georgia City Hall building are concerned over asbestos found there. After the presence of asbestos was confirmed residents said that city officials are trying to cover up their inactivity regarding the dangerous materials. Though city officials say they reported the asbestos to the Environmental Protection Department, residents and EPD officials say it was the public that brought the issue to light. City officials say there is no danger in connection with the asbestos, since it is in the basement of the building only and the affected area has been sealed.

The EPD agrees that the building does not pose a danger to the public or City Hall employees, but the discrepancy of who told when could be an issue. The EPD investigated the asbestos claims almost two weeks after the material was discovered. If asbestos is disturbed, it can become airborne leading to a health concern. Breathing in airborne asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer, as well as other respiratory diseases. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that results from airborne asbestos particles being inhaled into the lungs.